Control device for vehicular drive system

ABSTRACT

A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, and (b) a second electric motor disposed between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and a differential-state switching device operable to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state and a locked or non-differential state. The control device may include a switching control portion operable to control the differential-state switching device to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of the differential and locked states, and a power-source torque-change restriction control portion operable to restrict a change of an output torque of the engine upon switching of the differential mechanism between the differential and locked states.

The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2004-196081 and 2004-203946 filed on Jul. 1 and Jul. 9, 2004, respectively, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a vehicular drive system including a differential mechanism which has a differential function and functions as a transmission mechanism, and more particularly to techniques for reducing the size of electric motors provided in the vehicular drive system.

2. Description of Related Art

There is known a drive system for a vehicle, which includes a differential mechanism arranged to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and an output shaft, and a second electric motor disposed between the output shaft of the differential mechanism and drive wheels of the vehicle. Examples of this type of vehicular drive system include drive systems for a hybrid vehicle as disclosed in JP-2000-2327A and JP-2000-346187A, typically in JP-2000-2327A. In these hybrid vehicle drive systems, the differential mechanism is constituted by a planetary gear set, for example, and a major portion of the drive force generated by the engine is mechanically transmitted to the drive wheels through the differential function of the differential mechanism, while the rest of the drive force is electrically transmitted from the first electric motor to the second electric motor, through an electric path therebetween, so that the differential mechanism functions as a transmission such as a electrically controlled continuously variable transmission the speed ratio of which is electrically variable, thereby making it possible to drive the vehicle under the control of a control device, with the engine kept in an optimum operating state with an improved fuel economy.

A continuously variable transmission is generally known as a power transmitting mechanism suitable for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle, while on the other hand a gear type transmission device such as a step-variable automatic transmission is known as a power transmitting mechanism suitable for improving the power transmitting efficiency. However, there is not known any power transmitting mechanism that is suitable for improving both of the fuel economy and the power transmitting efficiency. The hybrid vehicle drive system disclosed in JP-2000-2327, for example, has an electric path through which an electric energy is transmitted from the first electric motor to the second electric motor, that is, a power transmitting path through which a portion of the vehicle drive force which has been converted from a mechanical energy into an electric energy is transmitted. This drive system requires the first electric motor to be large-sized with an increase of the required output of the engine, so that the second electric motor operated with the electric energy supplied from the first electric motor is also required to be large-sized, whereby the drive system tends to be unfavorably large-sized. The same drive system also suffers from a risk of deterioration of the fuel economy during a high-speed running of the vehicle, for example, due to conversion of a portion of the mechanical energy produced by the engine into an electric energy, which is subsequently converted into a mechanical energy to be transmitted to the drive wheels of the vehicle. A similar problem is encountered in a vehicular drive system wherein the differential mechanism is used as a transmission the speed ratio of which is electrically variable, for instance, as a continuously variable transmission which is a so-called “electrically controlled CVT”.

Generally, it is desirable to control the vehicular drive system so as to minimize an operating shock of the drive system. Where a vehicular drive system is free from the above-described problems, it is desirable to control this drive system so as to reduce the operating shock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was made in view of the background art described above. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a control device for a vehicular drive system, which enables the vehicular drive system to be small-sized and which permits an improvement of the fuel economy of the vehicle and reduction of the operating shock of the drive system.

As a result of extensive studies in an effort to solve the problem described above, the inventors of the present invention found that the first and second electric motors can be small-sized to reduce the size of the vehicular drive system, by controlling the vehicular drive system such that the output of the engine is transmitted to the drive wheels primarily through a mechanical power transmitting path, when the engine is in a large-output state. This finding is based on a fact that the required capacities or outputs of the first and second electric motors are not so large in a normal output state of the engine in which the engine output is comparatively small, but are relatively large in the large-output state in which the engine output is comparatively large, for instance, during a high-speed running of the vehicle. Where the engine output is transmitted to the drive wheels primarily through the mechanical power transmitting path, the fuel economy of the vehicle during the high-speed running of the vehicle can be improved with a reduced loss of conversion from the mechanical energy into the electric energy, in the absence of an electric path through which the electric energy which has been generated by the first electric motor by conversion from a portion of the engine output is supplied to the second electric motor for producing a mechanical energy to be transmitted to the drive wheels. According to the present invention which was made based on this finding, there is provided a control device which is arranged to control a vehicular drive system such that an output of an engine of the drive system is transmitted primarily through a mechanical power transmitting path and which is operable to reduce an operating shock of the drive system.

Namely, the object indicated above may be achieved according to any one of the following modes of the invention, each of which is numbered like the appended claims and depends from the other mode or modes, where appropriate, for easier understanding of technical features disclosed in the present application and possible combinations of those features. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those technical features or combinations thereof.

(1) A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, (b) a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and (c) a differential-state switching device operable to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a step-variable shifting state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, the control device comprising: a switching control portion operable to control the differential-state switching device to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of the differential and locked states; and a power-source torque-change restriction control portion operable to restrict a change of an output torque of the drive power source when the differential mechanism is switched by the differential-state switching device between the differential state and the locked state under the control of the switching control portion.

In the control device according to the above-described mode (1) of this invention, the differential mechanism is switched by the differential-state switching device under the control of the switching control portion, so as to be placed selectively in the differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function, and the locked state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function. Therefore, the present control device has not only an advantage of an improvement in the fuel economy owing to a function of a transmission whose speed ratio is electrically variable, but also an advantage of high power transmitting efficiency owing to a function of a gear type transmission capable of mechanically transmitting a vehicle drive force. Accordingly, when the engine is in a normal output state with a relatively low or medium output while the vehicle is running at a relatively low or medium running speed, the differential mechanism is placed in the differential state, assuring a high degree of fuel economy of the vehicle. When the vehicle is running at a relatively high speed, on the other hand, the differential mechanism is placed in the locked state in which the output of the engine is transmitted to the drive wheel primarily through a mechanical power transmitting path, so that the fuel economy is improved owing to reduction of a loss of conversion of a mechanical energy into an electric energy, which loss would take place when the differential mechanism is operated as the transmission whose speed ratio is electrically variable. When the engine is in a high-output state, the differential mechanism is also placed in the locked state. Therefore, the differential mechanism is operated as the transmission whose speed ratio is electrically variable, only when the vehicle speed is relatively low or medium or when the engine output is relatively low or medium, so that the required amount of electric energy generated by the electric motor that is, the maximum amount of electric energy that must be transmitted from the electric motor can be reduced, making it possible to minimize the required sizes of the electric motor, and the required size of the drive system including the electric motor.

When the differential mechanism is switched between the differential state and the locked state by the differential-state switching device, a coupling device of the differential-state switching device is selectively released or engaged, and an engaging torque of the coupling device is increased in the process of an engaging action or reduced in the process of a releasing action, while at the same time a reaction torque of the first electric motor is reduced toward zero or increased toward a predetermined value. The power-source torque-change restriction control portion of the control device according to the present invention is arranged to restrict a change of the output torque of the engine in a transient period of switching of the differential mechanism in which the engaging torque of the coupling device of the differential-state switching device and the reaction torque of the first electric motor are changed. Accordingly, the reaction torque of the first electric motor is smoothly reduced to zero or increased to the predetermined value, while at the same time the engaging torque of the coupling device (i.e., torque transmitted through the coupling device) is smoothly increased or reduced, so that the switching shock of the differential mechanism upon switching of its operating state between the differential and locked states can be significantly reduced.

(2) The control device according to the above mode (1), wherein the vehicular drive system includes a continuously-variable transmission portion including the differential mechanism, the second electric motor and the differential-state switching device, and the differential-state switching device is operable to switch the differential mechanism between the differential and locked state, for placing the continuously-variable transmission portion selectively in one of a continuously-variable shifting state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a step-variable shifting state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and wherein the power-source torque-change restriction control portion is operable to restrict the change of the output torque of the engine when the continuously-variable transmission portion is switched by the differential-state switching device between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states under the control of the switching control portion.

In the control device according to the above-described mode (2) of this invention, the continuously-variable transmission portion of the vehicular drive system is controlled by the differential-state switching device under the control of the switching control portion, so as to be placed selectively in the continuously-variable shifting state in which the continuously variable transmission portion is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and the step-variable shifting state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission. Namely, the continuously-variable transmission portion is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state when the differential mechanism is placed in the differential state, and in the step-variable shifting state when the differential mechanism is placed in the locked state.

When the continuously-variable transmission portion is switched between the continuously-variable shifting state and the step-variable shifting state by the differential-state switching-device, the engaging torque of the coupling device of the differential-state switching device is increased or reduced in the process of an engaging or releasing action, while at the same time the reaction torque of the first electric motor is reduced toward zero or increased toward the predetermined value. The power-source torque-change restriction control portion of the control device according to the above-described mode (2) is arranged to restrict the change of the output of the engine in a transient period of switching of the continuously-variable transmission portion in which the engaging torque of the coupling device and the reaction torque of the first electric motor are changed. Accordingly, the reaction torque of the first electric motor is smoothly reduced or increased while at the same time the engaging torque of the coupling device is smoothly increased or reduced, so that the switching shock of the continuously-variable transmission portion upon switching of its shifting state between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states can be significantly reduced.

(3) The control device according to the above-described mode (1) or (2), wherein the power-source torque-change restriction control portion reduces the change of the output torque of the engine when a degree of the change of the output torque of the engine is higher than a predetermined threshold. This arrangement effectively prevents a change of the engine output torque in a degree higher than the predetermined threshold, making it possible to minimize the shifting shock of the differential mechanism upon switching between the differential and locked states, or the shifting shock of the continuously-variable transmission portion upon switching between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states. In this respect, it is noted that the shifting shock increases with the degree of change of the engine output torque.

(4) The control device according to any one of the above-described modes (1)-(3), wherein the power-source torque-change restriction control portion reduces the change of the output torque of the engine when an operating response of the differential-state switching device is lower than a predetermined threshold. This arrangement is also effective to reduce the degree of change of the engine output torque which increases with a decrease of the operating response of the differential-state switching device, making it possible to minimize the shifting shock of the differential mechanism upon switching between the differential and locked states, or the shifting shock of the continuously-variable transmission portion between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states.

(5) A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, (b) a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and (c) a differential-state switching device operable to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a locked state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, the control device comprising: a switching control portion operable to control the differential-state switching device to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of the differential and locked states; and a torque-reduction control portion operable to reduce at least one of an output torque of the engine, an output torque of the first electric motor and an output torque of the second electric motor, when the differential mechanism is switched by the differential-state switching device from the differential state to the locked state under the control of the switching control portion.

In the control device according to the above-described mode (5) of this invention, the differential mechanism is switched by the differential-state switching device under the control of the switching control portion, so as to be placed selectively in the differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function, and the locked state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function. Therefore, the present control device has substantially the same advantages as the control device according to the above-described mode (1) of this invention

When the differential mechanism is switched from the differential state to the locked state by the differential-state switching device under the switching control portion of the control device according to the above-described mode (5), the torque-reduction control portion of the present control device is arranged to reduce at least one of the output torques of the engine and the first and second electric motors in the transient period of switching of the differential mechanism from the differential state to the locked state. Accordingly, the switching shock of the differential mechanism upon switching of its operating state from the differential state to the locked state can be significantly reduced.

(6) The control device according to the above-described mode (5), wherein the vehicular drive system includes a continuously-variable transmission portion including the differential mechanism, the second electric motor and the differential-state switching device, and the differential-state switching device is operable to switch the differential mechanism between the differential and locked state, for placing the continuously-variable transmission portion selectively in one of a continuously-variable shifting state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a step-variable shifting state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and wherein the torque-reduction control portion is operable to reduce at least one of the output torques of the engine and the first and second electric motors when the continuously-variable transmission portion is switched by the differential-state switching device from the continuously-variable to the step-variable shifting state under the control of the switching control portion.

In the control device according to the above-described mode (6) of this invention, the continuously-variable transmission portion of the vehicular drive system is switched by the differential-state switching device under the control of the switching control portion, so as to be placed selectively in the continuously-variable shifting state in which the continuously variable transmission portion is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and the step-variable shifting state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission. Namely, the continuously-variable transmission portion is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state when the differential mechanism is placed in the differential state, and in the step-variable shifting state when the differential mechanism is placed in the locked state.

When the continuously-variable transmission portion is switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state by the differential-state switching device, the torque-reduction control portion of the control device according to the above-described mode (6) is arranged to reduce at least one of the output torques of the engine and the first an second electric motors. Accordingly, the switching shock of the continuously-variable transmission portion upon switching of its shifting state from the continuously-variable to the step-variable shifting state can be significantly reduced.

(7) A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, (b) a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and (c) a differential-state switching device operable to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a locked state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, the control device comprising: a switching control portion operable to control the differential-state switching device to place the differential mechanism selectively in one of the differential and locked states; and a torque-reduction control portion operable to reduce an inertial torque of the differential mechanism due to a speed change thereof when the differential mechanism is switched by the differential-state switching device from the differential state to the locked state under the control of the switching control portion.

In the control device according to the above-described mode (7) of this invention, the differential mechanism is switched by the differential-state switching device under the control of the switching control portion, so as to be placed selectively in the differential state in which the differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function, and the locked state in which the differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function. Therefore, the present control device has substantially the same advantages as the control device according to the above-described mode (1) or (5) of this invention

When the differential mechanism is switched from the differential state to the locked state by the differential-state switching device under the switching control portion of the control device according to the above-described mode (7), the torque-reduction control portion of the present control device is arranged to reduce the inertial torque of the differential mechanism in the transient period of switching of the differential mechanism from the differential state to the locked state. Accordingly, the switching shock of the differential mechanism upon switching of its operating state from the differential state to the locked state can be significantly reduced.

(8) The control device according to the above-described mode (7), wherein the vehicular drive system includes a continuously-variable transmission portion including the differential mechanism, the second electric motor and the differential-state switching device, and the differential-state switching device is operable to switch the differential mechanism between the differential and locked state, for placing the continuously-variable transmission portion selectively in one of a continuously-variable shifting state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a step-variable shifting state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and wherein the torque-reduction control portion is operable to reduce the inertial torque of the differential mechanism when the continuously-variable transmission portion is switched by the differential-state switching device from the continuously-variable to the step-variable shifting state under the control of the switching control portion.

In the control device according to the above-described mode (8) of this invention, the continuously-variable transmission portion of the vehicular drive system is switched by the differential-state switching device under the control of the switching control portion, so as to be placed selectively in the continuously-variable shifting state in which the continuously variable transmission portion is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and the step-variable shifting state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission. Namely, the continuously-variable transmission portion is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state when the differential mechanism is placed in the differential state, and in the step-variable shifting state when the differential mechanism is placed in the locked state.

When the continuously-variable transmission portion is switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state by the differential-state switching device, the torque-reduction control portion of the control device according to the above-described mode (8) is arranged to reduce the inertial torque of the differential mechanism. Accordingly, the switching shock of the continuously-variable transmission portion upon switching of its shifting state from the continuously-variable to the step-variable shifting state can be significantly reduced.

(9) The control device according to the above-mode (7) or (8), wherein the torque-reduction control portion reduces the inertial torque of the differential mechanism by controlling at least one of the first and second electric motors. According to this arrangement, the inertial torque of the differential mechanism can be effectively reduced, so that the switching shock of the differential mechanism upon switching of its operating state from the differential state to the locked state can be effectively reduced.

(10) The control device according to any one of the above-described modes (1)-(9), wherein the differential mechanism includes a first element fixed to the engine, a second element fixed to the fist electric motor, and a third element fixed to the power distributing member, and the differential-state switching device is operable to permit the first, second and third elements to be rotated relative to each other, for thereby placing the differential mechanism in the differential state, and to connect the first, second and third elements for rotation as a unit or to hold the second element stationary, for thereby placing the differential mechanism in the locked state. In this arrangement, the differential mechanism can be suitably switched by the differential-state switching device, between the differential and locked states.

(11) The control device according to the above-described mode (10), wherein the differential-state switching device includes a clutch operable to connect at least two of the first, second and third elements to each other for rotation of the first, second and third elements as a unit, and/or a brake operable to fix the second element to a stationary member for holding the second element stationary. In this arrangement, the differential mechanism can be suitably switched by the differential-state switching device, between the differential and locked states.

(12) The control device according to the above-described mode (11), wherein the differential-state switching device includes both of the clutch and the brake, and is operable to release the clutch and the brake for thereby placing said differential mechanism in the differential state in which the first, second and third elements are rotatable relative to each other, and to engage the clutch and release the brake for thereby enabling the differential mechanism to function as a transmission having a speed ratio of 1, or engage the brake and release the clutch for thereby enabling the differential mechanism to function as a speed-increasing transmission having a speed ratio lower than 1. In this arrangement, the differential mechanism can be suitably switched by the differential-state switching device, between the differential and locked state, and is operable as a transmission having a single fixed speed ratio or a plurality of fixed speed ratios.

(13) The control device according to any one of the above-described modes (10)-(12), wherein the differential mechanism is a planetary gear set, and the first, second and third elements are respective a carrier, a sun gear and a ring gear of the planetary gear set. According to this arrangement, the axial dimension of the differential mechanism can be reduced, and the differential mechanism can be simply constituted by one planetary gear set.

(14) The control device according to the above-described mode (13), wherein the planetary gear set is of a single-pinion type. According to this arrangement, the axial dimension of the differential mechanism can be reduced, and the differential mechanism can be simply constituted by one planetary gear set of a single-pinion type.

(15) The control device according to any one of the above-described modes (1)-(14), wherein the vehicular drive system further includes an automatic transmission portion disposed between the power transmitting member and the drive wheel, and has an overall speed ratio which is determined by a speed ratio of the differential mechanism and a speed ratio of the automatic transmission portion. According to this arrangement, the speed ratio of the automatic transmission portion can be effectively utilized, so that vehicle drive force can be obtained over a relatively wide range of the speed ratio of the drive system, whereby the operating efficiency of the differential mechanism (or continuously-variable transmission portion) operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission can be improved.

(16) The control device according to the above-described mode (15), wherein the automatic transmission portion is a step-variable automatic transmission. According to this arrangement, a continuously variable transmission is constituted by the step-variable automatic transmission and the differential mechanism placed in its differential state, while a step-variable transmission is constituted by the step-variable automatic transmission and the differential mechanism placed in its locked state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of a transmission mechanism of a drive system for a hybrid vehicle, which is controlled by an electronic control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a table indicating shifting actions of the transmission mechanism of the vehicular drive system of the embodiment of FIG. 1, which is operable in a selected one of a continuously-variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state, in relation to different combinations of operating states of hydraulically operated frictional coupling devices to effect the respective shifting actions;

FIG. 3 is a collinear chart indicating relative rotating speeds of rotary elements of the transmission mechanism of the vehicular drive system of the embodiment of FIG. 1 operated in the step-variable shifting state, in different gear positions of the drive system;

FIG. 4 is a view indicating input and output signals of the electronic control device provided to control the vehicular drive system of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating major control functions performed by the electronic control device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a stored shifting boundary line map (step-variable shifting control map) used for determining a shifting action of an automatic shifting portion of the drive system, in a two-dimensional coordinate system defined by an axis of a vehicle speed and an axis of an output torque of the automatic transmission portion, and a stored switching boundary line map (switching control map) in the same coordinate system, which is used for switching the transmission mechanism between a step-variable shifting state and a continuously-variable shifting state;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a shifting-region switching map indicating boundary lines defining a step-variable shifting region and a continuously-variable shifting region in a two-dimensional coordinate system defined by an axis of an engine speed and an axis of an engine torque, the boundary lines of those shifting regions corresponding to boundary lines of the switching control map represented by broken lines in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view indicating an example of a change of the engine speed as a result of a shift-up action of the step-variable automatic transmission portion;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a switching-shock reducing routine executed by the electronic control device of FIG. 5, to reduce a switching shock of the transmission mechanism upon its switching from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state;

FIG. 10 is a time chart for explaining an operation performed according to the switching-shock reducing routine of the flow chart of FIG. 9, when the transmission mechanism is switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state by an engaging action of a switching clutch as a result of a depressing operation of an accelerator pedal;

FIG. 11 is a time chart corresponding to that of FIG. 10, for explaining an operation performed according to the switching-shock reducing routine, when the transmission mechanism is switched from the step-variable shifting state to the continuously-variable shifting state by a releasing action of the switching clutch as a result of a releasing operation of the accelerator pedal;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram corresponding to that of FIG. 5, illustrating major control functions performed by an electronic control device according to a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart corresponding to that of FIG. 9, illustrating a switching-shock reducing routine executed in the second embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a time chart corresponding to that of FIG. 10, for explaining an operation performed according to the switching-shock reducing routine of the flow chart of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view corresponding to that of FIG. 1, showing an arrangement of a transmission portion of a drive system for a hybrid vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a table corresponding to that of FIG. 2, indicating shifting actions of the vehicular drive system of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a collinear chart corresponding to that of FIG. 3, indicating relative rotating speeds of the rotary elements of the transmission mechanism of the drive system of FIG. 15 in the different gear positions; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a manually operable shifting-state selecting device in the form of a seesaw switch functioning as a step-variable shifting switch and a continuously-variable shifting switch, the seesaw switching being provided in a fourth embodiment of this invention and operated by an operator of the hybrid vehicle to manually place the transmission mechanism of the drive system of FIG. 15 in one of the step-variable and continuously-variable shifting states.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, there will be described in detail the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic view explaining a transmission mechanism 10 constituting a part of a drive system for a hybrid vehicle, which drive system is controlled by a control device according to one embodiment of this invention. The transmission mechanism 10 includes: an input rotary member in the form of an input shaft 14 disposed on a common axis in a transmission casing 12 functioning as a stationary member attached to a body of the vehicle; a continuously-variable transmission portion 11 connected to the input shaft 14 either directly, or indirectly via a pulsation absorbing damper (vibration damping device) not shown; a step-variable or multiple-step automatic transmission portion 20 interposed between and connected in series via a power transmitting member 18 (power transmitting shaft) to the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 and drive wheels 38 (shown in FIG. 5) of the vehicle; and an output rotary member in the form of an output shaft 22 connected to the automatic transmission portion 20. The input shaft 12, continuously-variable transmission portion 11, automatic transmission portion 20 and output shaft 22 are connected in series with each other. This transmission mechanism 10 is suitably used for a transverse FR vehicle (front-engine, rear-drive vehicle), and is disposed between a drive power source in the form of an internal combustion engine 8 and the pair of drive wheels 38, to transmit a vehicle drive force from the engine 8 to the pair of drive wheels 38 through a differential gear device 36 (final speed reduction gear) and a pair of drive axles, as shown in FIG. 5. The engine 8 may be a gasoline engine or diesel engine and functions as a vehicle drive power source directly connected to the input shaft 14 or indirectly via a pulsation absorbing damper. It is noted that a lower half of the transmission mechanism 10, which is constructed symmetrically with respect to its axis, is omitted in FIG. 1. This is also true in the other embodiments described below. In the present transmission mechanism 10, the engine 8 and the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 are connected to each other directly or indirectly through the pulsation absorbing damper, as described above, but a fluid-operated power transmitting device such as a torque converter or fluid coupling is not interposed between the engine 8 and the transmission portion 11.

The continuously-variable transmission portion 11 includes: a first electric motor M1; a power distributing mechanism 16 functioning as a differential mechanism operable to mechanically distribute an output of the engine 8 received by the input shaft 14, to the first electric motor M1 and the power transmitting member 18; and a second electric motor M2 the output shaft of which is rotated with the power transmitting member 18. The second electric motor M2 may be disposed at any portion of the power transmitting path between the power transmitting member 18 and the drive wheels 38. Each of the first and second electric motors M1 and M2 used in the present embodiment is a so-called motor/generator having a function of an electric motor and a function of an electric generator. However, the first electric motor M1 should function at least as an electric generator operable to generate an electric energy and a reaction force, while the second electric motor M2 should function at least as a drive power source operable to produce a vehicle drive force.

The power distributing mechanism 16 includes, as major components, a first planetary gear set 24 of a single pinion type having a gear ratio ρ1 of about 0.418, for example, a switching clutch C0 and a switching brake B1. The first planetary gear set 24 has rotary elements consisting of a first sun gear S1, a first planetary gear P1; a first carrier CA1 supporting the first planetary gear P1 such that the first planetary gear P1 is rotatable about its axis and about the axis of the first sun gear S1; and a first ring gear R1 meshing with the first sun gear S1 through the first planetary gear P1. Where the numbers of teeth of the first sun gear S1 and the first ring gear R1 are represented by ZS1 and ZR1, respectively, the above-indicated gear ratio ρ1 is represented by ZS1/ZR1.

In the power distributing mechanism 16, the first carrier CA1 is connected to the input shaft 14, that is, to the engine 8, and the first sun gear S1 is connected to the first electric motor M1, while the first ring gear R1 is connected to the power transmitting member 18. The switching brake B0 is disposed between the first sun gear S1 and the transmission casing 12, and the switching clutch C0 is disposed between the first sun gear S1 and the first carrier CA1. When the switching clutch C0 and brake B0 are both released, the power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in a differential state in which the first sun gear S1, first carrier CA1 and first ring gear R1 of the first planetary gear set 24 are rotatable relative to each other, so as to perform a differential function, so that the output of the engine 8 is distributed to the first electric motor M1 and the power transmitting member 18, whereby a portion of the output of the engine 8 is used to drive the first electric motor M1 to generate an electric energy which is stored or used to drive the second electric motor M2. Accordingly, the power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state (electrically established CVT state), in which the rotating speed of the power transmitting member 18 is continuously variable, irrespective of the rotating speed of the engine 8, namely, placed in the differential state in which a speed ratio γ0 (rotating speed of the input shaft 14/rotating speed of the power transmitting member 18) of the power distributing mechanism 16 is continuously changed from a minimum value γ0min to a maximum value γ0max, that is, in the continuously-variable shifting state in which the power distributing mechanism 16 functions as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission the speed ratio γ0 of which is continuously variable from the minimum value γ0min to the maximum value γ0max.

When the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 is engaged while the power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state, the mechanism 16 is brought into a locked state or non-differential state in which the differential function is not available. Described in detail, when the switching clutch C0 is engaged, the first sun gear S1 and the first carrier CA1 are connected together, so that the power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the locked state or non-differential state in which the three rotary elements of the first planetary gear set 24 consisting of the first sun gear S1, first carrier CA1 and first ring gear R1 are rotatable as a unit, so that the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 is also placed in a non-differential state. In this non-differential state, the rotating speed of the engine 8 and the rotating speed of the power transmitting member 18 are made equal to each other, so that the power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in a fixed-speed-ratio shifting state or step-variable shifting state in which the mechanism 16 functions as a transmission having a fixed speed ratio γ0 equal to 1. When the switching brake B0 is engaged in place of the switching clutch C0, the first sun gear S1 is fixed to the transmission casing 12, so that the power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the locked or non-differential state in which the first sun gear S1 is not rotatable. Since the rotating speed of the first ring gear R1 is made higher than that of the first carrier CA1, the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 is placed in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state or step-variable shifting state in which the mechanism 16 functions as a speed-increasing transmission having a fixed speed ratio γ0 smaller than 1, for example, about 0.7. Thus, the frictional coupling devices in the form of the switching clutch C0 and brake B0 function as a differential-state switching device operable to selectively place the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 selectively in the continuously-variable shifting state (differential state) in which the mechanism 16 is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission the speed ratio of which is continuously variable, and in the locked state or step-variable shifting state in which the mechanism 16 is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, namely, in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state (non-differential state) in which the mechanism 16 functions as a transmission having a single gear position with one speed ratio or a plurality of gear positions with respective speed ratios.

The automatic transmission portion 20 includes a single-pinion type second planetary gear set 26, a single-pinion type third planetary gear set 28 and a single-pinion type fourth planetary gear set 30. The second planetary gear set 26 has: a second sun gear S2; a second planetary gear P2; a second carrier CA2 supporting the second planetary gear P2 such that the second planetary gear P2 is rotatable about its axis and about the axis of the second sun gear S2; and a second ring gear R2 meshing with the second sun gear S2 through the second planetary gear P2. For example, the second planetary gear set 26 has a gear ratio ρ2 of about 0.562. The third planetary gear set 28 has: a third sun gear S3; a third planetary gear P3; a third carrier CA3 supporting the third planetary gear P3 such that the third planetary gear P3 is rotatable about its axis and about the axis of the third sun gear S3; and a third ring gear R3 meshing with the third sun gear S3 through the third planetary gear P3. For example, the third planetary gear set 28 has a gear ratio ρ3 of about 0.425. The fourth planetary gear set 30 has: a fourth sun gear S4; a fourth planetary gear P4; a fourth carrier CA4 supporting the fourth planetary gear P4 such that the fourth planetary gear P4 is rotatable about its axis and about the axis of the fourth sun gear S4; and a fourth ring gear R4 meshing with the fourth sun gear S4 through the fourth planetary gear P4. For example, the fourth planetary gear set 30 has a gear ratio ρ4 of about 0.421. Where the numbers of teeth of the second sun gear S2, second ring gear R2, third sun gear S3, third ring gear R3, fourth sun gear S4 and fourth ring gear R4 are represented by ZS2, ZR2, ZS3, ZR3, ZS4 and ZR4, respectively, the above-indicated gear ratios ρ2, ρ3 and ρ4 are represented by ZS2/ZR2. ZS3/ZR3, and ZS4/ZR4, respectively.

In the automatic transmission portion 20, the second sun gear S2 and the third sun gear S3 are integrally fixed to each other as a unit, selectively connected to the power transmitting member 18 through a second clutch C2, and selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through a first brake B1. The second carrier CA2 is selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through a second brake B2, and the fourth ring gear R4 is selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through a third brake B3. The second ring gear R2, third carrier CA3 and fourth carrier CA4 are integrally fixed to each other and fixed to the output shaft 22. The third ring gear R3 and the fourth sun gear S4 are integrally fixed to each other and selectively connected to the power transmitting member 18 through a first clutch C1. Thus, the automatic transmission portion 20 and the power transmitting member 18 are selectively connected to each other through the first clutch C1 or second clutch C2, which is used to establish gear positions of the automatic transmission portion 20. In other words, the first and second clutches C1, C2 cooperate to function as coupling devices operable to switch a power transmitting path connecting the power transmitting member 18 and the automatic transmission 20 (connecting the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 (power transmitting member 18) and the drive wheels 38), between a power-transmitting state in which a vehicle drive force can be transmitted through the power transmitting path, and a power-cut-off state in which the vehicle drive force cannot be transmitted through the power transmitting path. That is, the power transmitting path is placed in the power transmitting state when at least one of the first and second clutches C1, C2 is engaged, and is placed in the power-cut-off state when the first and second clutches C1, C2 are both released.

The above-described switching clutch C0, first clutch C1, second clutch C2, switching brake B0, first brake B1, second brake B2 and third brake B3 are hydraulically operated frictional coupling devices used in a conventional vehicular automatic transmission. Each of these frictional coupling devices is constituted by a wet-type multiple-disc clutch including a plurality of friction plates which are forced against each other by a hydraulic actuator, or a band brake including a rotary drum and one band or two bands which is/are wound on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary drum and tightened at one end by a hydraulic actuator. Each of the clutches C0-C2 and brakes B0-B3 is selectively engaged for connecting two members between which each clutch or brake is interposed.

In the transmission mechanism 10 constructed as described above, one of a first gear position (first speed position) through a fifth gear position (fifth speed position), a reverse gear position (rear drive position) and a neural position is selectively established by engaging actions of a corresponding combination of the frictional coupling devices selected from the above-described switching clutch C0, first clutch C1, second clutch C2, switching brake B0, first brake B1, second brake B2 and third brake B3, as indicated in the table of FIG. 2. Those positions have respective speed ratios γ (input shaft speed N_(IN)/output shaft speed N_(OUT)) which change as geometric series. In particular, it is noted that the power distributing mechanism 16 is provided with the switching clutch C0 and brake B0 so that the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 can be selectively placed by engagement of the switching clutch C0 or switching brake B0, in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state in which the mechanism 16 is operable as a transmission having a single gear position with one speed ratio or a plurality of gear positions with respective speed ratios, as well as in the continuously-variable shifting state in which the mechanism 16 is operable as a continuously variable transmission, as described above. In the present transmission mechanism 10, therefore, a step-variable transmission is constituted by the automatic transmission portion 20, and the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 which is placed in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state by engagement of the switching clutch C0 or switching brake B0. Further, a continuously variable transmission is constituted by the automatic transmission portion 20, and the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 which is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state, with none of the switching clutch C0 and brake B0 being engaged. In other words, the transmission mechanism 10 is switched to the step-variable shifting state by engaging one of the switching clutch C0 and switching brake B0, and switched to the continuously-variable shifting state by releasing both of the switching clutch C0 and brake B0. The continuously-variable transmission portion 11 is also considered to be a transmission switchable between the step-variable shifting state and the continuously-variable shifting state.

Where the transmission mechanism 10 functions as the step-variable transmission, for example, the first gear position having the highest speed ratio γ1 of about 3.357, for example, is established by engaging actions of the switching clutch C0, first clutch C1 and third brake B3, and the second gear position having the speed ratio γ2 of about 2.180, for example, which is lower than the speed ratio γ1, is established by engaging actions of the switching clutch C0, first clutch C1 and second brake B2, as indicated in FIG. 2. Further, the third gear position having the speed ratio γ3 of about 1.424, for example, which is lower than the speed ratio γ2, is established by engaging actions of the switching clutch C0, first clutch C1 and first brake B1, and the fourth gear position having the speed ratio γ4 of about 1.000, for example, which is lower than the speed ratio γ3, is established by engaging actions of the switching clutch C0, first clutch C1 and second clutch C2. The fifth gear position having the speed ratio γ5 of about 0.705, for example, which is smaller than the speed ratio γ4, is established by engaging actions of the first clutch C1, second clutch C2 and switching brake B0. Further, the reverse gear position having the speed ratio γR of about 3.209, for example, which is intermediate between the speed ratios γ1 and γ2, is established by engaging actions of the second clutch C2 and the third brake B3. The neutral position N is established by engaging only the switching clutch C0.

Where the transmission mechanism 10 functions as the continuously-variable transmission, on the other hand, the switching clutch C0 and the switching brake B0 indicated in FIG. 2 are both released, so that the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 functions as the continuously variable transmission, while the automatic transmission portion 10 connected in series to the continuously-variable transmission portion 111 functions as the step-variable transmission, whereby the speed of the rotary motion transmitted to the automatic transmission portion 20 placed in one of the first through fourth gear positions, namely, the rotating speed of the power transmitting member 18 is continuously changed, so that the speed ratio of the drive system when the automatic transmission portion 20 is placed in one of those gear positions is continuously variable over a predetermined range. Accordingly, the speed ratio of the automatic transmission portion 20 is continuously variable across the adjacent gear positions, whereby the overall speed ratio γT of the transmission mechanism 10 is continuously variable.

The collinear chart of FIG. 3 indicates, by straight lines, a relationship among the rotating speeds of the rotary elements in each of the gear positions of the transmission mechanism 10, which is constituted by the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 functioning as the continuously-variable shifting portion or first shifting portion, and the automatic transmission portion 20 functioning as the step-variable shifting portion or second shifting portion. The collinear chart of FIG. 3 is a rectangular two-dimensional coordinate system in which the gear ratios ρ of the planetary gear sets 24, 26, 28, 30 are taken along the horizontal axis, while the relative rotating speeds of the rotary elements are taken along the vertical axis. A lower one of three horizontal lines X1, X2, XG, that is, the horizontal line X1 indicates the rotating speed of 0, while an upper one of the three horizontal lines, that is, the horizontal line X2 indicates the rotating speed of 1.0, that is, an operating speed N_(E) of the engine 8 connected to the input shaft 14. The horizontal line XG indicates the rotating speed of the power transmitting member 18.

Three vertical lines Y1, Y2 and Y3 corresponding to the power distributing mechanism 16 of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 respectively represent the relative rotating speeds of a second rotary element (second element) RE2 in the form of the first sun gear S1, a first rotary element (first element) RE1 in the form of the first carrier CA1, and a third rotary element (third element) RE3 in the form of the first ring gear R1. The distances between the adjacent ones of the vertical lines Y1, Y2 and Y3 are determined by the gear ratio ρ1 of the first planetary gear set 24. That is, the distance between the vertical lines Y1 and Y2 corresponds to “1”, while the distance between the vertical lines Y2 and Y3 corresponds to the gear ratio ρ1. Further, five vertical lines Y4, Y5, Y6, Y7 and Y8 corresponding to the automatic transmission portion 20 respectively represent the relative rotating speeds of a fourth rotary element (fourth element) RE4 in the form of the second and third sun gears S2, S3 integrally fixed to each other, a fifth rotary element (fifth element) RE5 in the form of the second carrier CA2, a sixth rotary element (sixth element) RE6 in the form of the fourth ring gear R4, a seventh rotary element (seventh element) RE7 in the form of the second ring gear R2 and third and fourth carriers CA3, CA4 that are integrally fixed to each other, and an eighth rotary element (eighth element) RE8 in the form of the third ring gear R3 and fourth sun gear S4 integrally fixed to each other. The distances between the adjacent ones of the vertical lines Y4-Y8 are determined by the gear ratios ρ2, ρ3 and ρ4 of the second, third and fourth planetary gear sets 26, 28, 30. That is, the distances between the sun gear and carrier of each of the second, third and fourth planetary gear sets 26, 28, 30 corresponds to “1”, while the distances between the carrier and ring gear of each of those planetary gear sets 26 28, 30 corresponds to the gear ratio ρ.

Referring to the collinear chart of FIG. 3, the power distributing mechanism 11 (continuously-variable transmission portion 11) of the transmission mechanism 10 is arranged such that the first rotary element RE1 (first carrier CA1) of the first planetary gear set 24 is integrally fixed to the input shaft 14 (engine 8) and selectively connected to the second rotary element RE2 (first sun gear S1) through the switching clutch C0, and this second rotary element RE2 is fixed to the first electric motor M1 and selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through the switching brake B0, while the third rotary element RE3 (first ring gear R1) is fixed to the power transmitting member 18 and the second electric motor M2, so that a rotary motion of the input shaft 14 is transmitted to the automatic transmission 20 (step-variable transmission portion) through the power transmitting member 18. A relationship between the rotating speeds of the first sun gear S1 and the first ring gear R1 is represented by an inclined straight line L0 which passes a point of intersection between the lines Y2 and X2.

When the transmission mechanism 10 is brought into the continuously-variable shifting state by releasing actions of the switching clutch C0 and brake B0, for instance, the rotating speed of the first sun gear S1 represented by a point of intersection between the line L0 and the vertical line Y1 is raised or lowered by controlling the reaction force generated by an operation of the first electric motor M1 to generate an electric energy, so that the rotating speed of the first ring gear R1 represented by a point of intersection between the line L0 and the vertical line Y3 is lowered or raised. When the switching clutch C0 is engaged, the first sun gear S1 and the first carrier CA1 are connected to each other, and the power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the non-differential state in which the above-indicated three rotary elements are rotated as a unit, so that the line L0 is aligned with the horizontal line X2, so that the power transmitting member 18 is rotated at a speed equal to the engine speed N_(E). When the switching brake B0 is engaged, on the other hand, the rotation of the first sun gear S1 is stopped, and the power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the non-differential state and functions as the speed-increasing mechanism, so that the line L0 is inclined in the state indicated in FIG. 3, whereby the rotating speed of the first ring gear R1, that is, the rotation of the power transmitting member 18 represented by a point of intersection between the lines L0 and Y3 is made higher than the engine speed N_(E) and transmitted to the automatic transmission portion 20.

In the automatic transmission portion 20, the fourth rotary element RE4 is selectively connected to the power transmitting member 18 through the second clutch C2, and selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through the first brake B1, and the fifth rotary element RE5 is selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through the second brake B2, while the sixth rotary element RE6 is selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through the third brake B3. The seventh rotary element RE7 is fixed to the output shaft 22, while the eighth rotary element RE8 is selectively connected to the power transmitting member 18 through the first clutch C1.

When the first clutch C1 and the third brake B3 are engaged, the automatic transmission portion 20 is placed in the first gear position. The rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the first gear position is represented by a point of intersection between the vertical line Y7 indicative of the rotating speed of the seventh rotary element RE7 fixed to the output shaft 22 and an inclined straight line L1 which passes a point of intersection between the vertical line Y8 indicative of the rotating speed of the eighth rotary element RE8 and the horizontal line X2, and a point of intersection between the vertical line Y6 indicative of the rotating speed of the sixth rotary element RE6 and the horizontal line X1. Similarly, the rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the second gear position established by the engaging actions of the first clutch C1 and second brake B2 is represented by a point of intersection between an inclined straight line L2 determined by those engaging actions and the vertical line Y7 indicative of the rotating speed of the seventh rotary element RE7 fixed to the output shaft 22. The rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the third gear position established by the engaging actions of the first clutch C1 and first brake B1 is represented by a point of intersection between an inclined straight line L3 determined by those engaging actions and the vertical line Y7 indicative of the rotating speed of the seventh rotary element RE7 fixed to the output shaft 22. The rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the fourth gear position established by the engaging actions of the first clutch C1 and second clutch C2 is represented by a point of intersection between a horizontal line L4 determined by those engaging actions and the vertical line Y7 indicative of the rotating speed of the seventh rotary element RE7 fixed to the output shaft 22. In the first through fourth gear positions in which the switching clutch C0 is placed in the engaged state, the eighth rotary element RE8 is rotated at the same speed as the engine speed N_(E), with the drive force received from the power distributing mechanism 16. When the switching clutch B0 is engaged in place of the switching clutch C0, the eighth rotary element RE8 is rotated at a speed higher than the engine speed N_(E), with the drive force received from the power distributing mechanism 16. The rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the fifth gear position established by the engaging actions of the first clutch C1, second clutch C2 and switching brake B0 is represented by a point of intersection between a horizontal line L5 determined by those engaging actions and the vertical line Y7 indicative of the rotating speed of the seventh rotary element RE7 fixed to the output shaft 22. The rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the reverse gear position R established by the second clutch C2 and third brake B3 is represented by a point of intersection between an inclined straight line LR determined by those engaging actions and the vertical line Y7 indicative of the rotating speed of the seventh rotary element RE7 fixed to the output shaft 22.

FIG. 4 illustrates signals received by an electronic control device 40 provided to control the transmission mechanism 10, and signals generated by the electronic control device 40. This electronic control device 40 includes a so-called microcomputer incorporating a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and an input/output interface, and is arranged to process the signals according to programs stored in the ROM while utilizing a temporary data storage function of the ROM, to implement hybrid drive controls of the engine 8 and electric motors M1 and M2, and drive controls such as shifting controls of the automatic transmission portion 20.

The electronic control device 40 is arranged to receive, from various sensors and switches shown in FIG. 4, various signals such as: a signal indicative of a temperature of cooling water of the engine; a signal indicative of a selected operating position of a shift lever; a signal indicative of the operating speed N_(E) of the engine 8; a signal indicative of a value indicating a selected group of forward-drive positions of the transmission mechanism 10; a signal indicative of an M mode (motor drive mode); a signal indicative of an operated state of an air conditioner; a signal indicative of a vehicle speed corresponding to the rotating speed of the output shaft 22; a signal indicative of a temperature of a working oil of the automatic transmission portion 20; a signal indicative of an operated state of a side brake; a signal indicative of an operated state of a foot brake; a signal indicative of a temperature of a catalyst; a signal indicative of an angle of operation of an accelerator pedal 46 (shown in FIG. 5); a signal indicative of an angle of a cam; a signal indicative of the selection of a snow drive mode; a signal indicative of a longitudinal acceleration value of the vehicle; a signal indicative of the selection of an auto-cruising drive mode; a signal indicative of a weight of the vehicle; signals indicative of speeds of the drive wheels of the vehicle; a signal indicative of an operating state of a step-variable shifting switch provided to place the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 (power distributing mechanism 16) in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state in which the transmission mechanism 10 functions as a step-variable transmission; a signal indicative of a continuously-variable shifting switch provided to place the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 (power distributing mechanism 16) in the continuously variable-shifting state in which the transmission mechanism 10 functions as the continuously variable transmission; a signal indicative of a rotating speed N_(M1) of the first electric motor M1; and a signal indicative of a rotating speed N_(M2) of the second electric motor M2.

The electronic control device 40 is further arranged to generate various signals such as: a signal to drive a throttle actuator for controlling an angle of opening of a throttle valve; a signal to adjust a pressure of a supercharger; a signal to operate the electric air conditioner; a signal for controlling an ignition timing of the engine 8; signals to operate the electric motors M1 and M2; a signal to operate a shift-range indicator for indicating the selected operating position of the shift lever; a signal to operate a gear-ratio indicator for indicating the gear ratio; a signal to operate a snow-mode indicator for indicating the selection of the snow drive mode; a signal to operate an ABS actuator for anti-lock braking of the wheels; a signal to operate an M-mode indicator for indicating the selection of the M-mode; signals to operate solenoid-operated valves incorporated in a hydraulic control unit 42 provided to control the hydraulic actuators of the hydraulically operated frictional coupling devices of the power distributing mechanism 16 and the automatic transmission portion 20; a signal to operate an electric oil pump used as a hydraulic pressure source for the hydraulic control unit 42; a signal to drive an electric heater; and a signal to be applied to a cruise-control computer.

Reference is now made to the functional block diagram of FIG. 5 for explaining a method of controlling the transmission mechanism 10, that is, major control functions performed by the electronic control device 40. The electronic control device 40 includes a switching control portion 50, a hybrid control portion 52, a step-variable shifting control portion 54, a map memory 56, high-speed-gear determining portion 62, an accelerator-operation determining portion 80, and a power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82. The step-variable shifting control portion 54 is arranged to determine whether a shifting action of the transmission mechanism 10 should take place, that is, to determine one of the first through fifth gear positions to which the transmission mechanism 10 should be shifted. This determination is made on the basis of a detected state of the vehicle in the form of the detected vehicle speed V and a detected output torque T_(OUT) of the automatic transmission portion 20, and according to a shifting boundary line map (step-variable shifting control map) which is stored in the map memory 56 and which represents shift-up boundary lines indicated by solid lines in FIG. 5 and shift-down boundary lines indicated by one-dot chain lines in FIG. 5. The step-variable shifting control portion 54 commands the hydraulic control unit 42 to automatically shift the automatic transmission portion 20 to the determined gear position. Described in detail, the step-variable shifting control portion 54 commands the hydraulic control unit 42 to selectively engage and release the hydraulically operated frictional coupling devices C1-C2, B1-B3, for establishing the determined gear position according to the table of FIG. 2.

The hybrid control portion 52 is arranged to control the engine 8 to be operated with high efficiency, and control the first and second electric motors M1, M2 so as to optimize a proportion of drive forces generated by the engine 8 and the second electric motor M2, and a reaction force generated by the first electric motor M1 during its operation as the electric generator, for thereby control the speed ratio γ0 of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 operating as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, while the transmission mechanism 10 is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state, that is, while the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 is placed in the differential state. For instance, the hybrid control portion 52 calculates the output as required by the vehicle operator at the present running speed of the vehicle, on the basis of the operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46 and the vehicle running speed V, and calculate a required vehicle drive force on the basis of the calculated required output and a required amount of generation of an electric energy by the first electric motor M1. On the basis of the calculated required vehicle drive force, the hybrid control portion 52 calculates desired speed N_(E) and total output of the engine 8, and controls the actual output of the engine 8 and the amount of generation of the electric energy by the first electric motor M1, according to the calculated desired speed N_(E) and total output of the engine 8. In other words, the hybrid control portion 52 is able to control the engine speed N_(E) for a given value of the vehicle running speed V and for a given speed ratio of the automatic transmission portion 20 (for a given speed of the power transmitting member 18), by controlling the amount of generation of the electric energy by the first electric motor M1.

The hybrid control portion 52 is arranged to effect the above-described hybrid control while taking account of the presently selected gear position of the automatic transmission portion 20, so as to improve the drivability of the vehicle and the fuel economy of the engine 8. In the hybrid control, the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 is controlled to function as the electrically controlled continuously-variable transmission, for optimum coordination of the engine speed N_(E) (desired engine speed N_(E)*) and vehicle speed V for efficient operation of the engine 8, and the rotating speed of the power transmitting member 18 determined by the selected gear position of the automatic transmission portion 20. That is, the hybrid control portion 52 determines a target value of the overall speed ratio γT of the transmission mechanism 10, so that the engine 8 is operated according to a stored highest-fuel-economy curve (map). The target value of the overall speed ratio γT of the transmission mechanism 10 permits the engine torque T_(E) and speed N_(E) to be controlled so that the engine 8 provides an output necessary to drive the vehicle with the drive force required by the vehicle operator. The highest-fuel-economy curve is obtained by experimentation so as to satisfy both of the desired operating efficiency and the highest fuel economy of the engine 8, and is defined in a two-dimensional coordinate system defined by an axis of the engine speed N_(E) and an axis of the engine torque T_(E). The hybrid control portion 52 controls the speed ratio γ0 of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11, so as to obtain the target value of the overall speed ratio γT, so that the overall speed ratio γT can be controlled within a predetermined range, for example, between 13 and 0.5.

In the hybrid control, the hybrid control portion 52 controls an inverter 58 such that the electric energy generated by the first electric motor M1 is supplied to an electric-energy storage device 60 and the second electric motor M2 through the inverter 58. That is, a major portion of the drive force produced by the engine 8 is mechanically transmitted to the power transmitting member 18, while the remaining portion of the drive force is consumed by the first electric motor M1 to convert this portion into the electric energy, which is supplied through the inverter 58 to the second electric motor M2, so that the second electric motor M2 is operated with the supplied electric energy, to produce a mechanical energy to be transmitted to the power transmitting member 18. Thus, the drive system is provided with an electric path through which an electric energy generated by conversion of a portion of a drive force of the engine 8 is converted into a mechanical energy. This electric path includes components associated with the generation of the electric energy and the consumption of the generated electric energy by the second electric motor M2.

It is also noted that the hybrid control portion 52 is capable of establishing a so-called “motor starting and drive” mode in which the vehicle is started and driven by only the electric motor (e.g., second electric motor M2) used as the drive power source, by utilizing the electric CVT function of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11, irrespective of whether the engine 8 is in the non-operated state or in the idling state. Where the vehicle is started by the engine 8 operated as the vehicle drive power source, rather than the electric motor, the hybrid control portion 52 controls the reaction force of the first electric motor M1 operated as the electric generator, so as to raise the rotating speed of the power transmitting member 18 owing to the differential function of the power distributing mechanism 16, for thereby controlling the vehicle starting by the engine 8. The vehicle is normally started by the electric motor, but is started by the engine 8 under some condition of the vehicle.

The hybrid control portion 52 is further capable of holding the engine 8 in an operated state owing to the electric CVT function of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11, irrespective of whether the vehicle is stationary or running at a relatively low speed. The first electric motor M1 may be required to be operated as the electric generator while the vehicle is stationary, in order to charge the electric-energy storage device 60 where an electric energy amount SOS stored in the storage device 60 is reduced below a predetermined lower limit. In this case, the speed N_(E) of the engine 8 which is operated to operate the first electric motor M1 as the electric generator at a relatively high speed can be kept high enough to permit the operation of the engine 8 by itself, owing to the differential function of the power distributing mechanism 16, even while the operating speed of the second electric motor M2 determined by the vehicle speed V is substantially zero when the vehicle is stationary.

The hybrid control portion 52 is further capable of holding the engine speed N_(E) constant owing to the electric CVT function of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11, by controlling the operating speed N_(M1) of the first electric motor M1 and/or the operating speed N_(M2) of the second electric motor M2, irrespective of whether the vehicle is stationary or running at a relatively low speed. In other words, the hybrid control portion 52 is arranged to control the operating speed N_(M1) of the first electric motor M1 or the operating speed N_(M2) of the second electric motor M2, as desired, while holding the engine speed N_(E) constant. When the operating speed N_(M2) of the second electric motor M2 is lowered, for example, the hybrid control portion 52 controls the first electric motor M1 to raise its operating speed N_(M1) while lowering the operating speed N_(M2) of the second electric motor M2 and holding the engine speed N_(E) constant, as is apparent from the collinear chart of FIG. 3.

The hybrid control portion 52 is further capable of placing the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 in a power-disconnecting state in which the power transmitting path within the transmission portion 11 is disconnected to prevent transmission of a drive torque. This power-disconnecting state is established by holding the first and second electric motors M1, M2 in a freely rotatable state, that is, by preventing the electric motors M1, M2 from generating a reaction torque.

The high-speed-gear determining portion 62 is arranged to determine whether the gear position to which the transmission mechanism 10 should be shifted on the detected state of the vehicle and according to the shifting boundary line map stored in the map memory 56 is a high-speed-gear position, for example, the fifth gear position. This determination is made to determine which one of the switching clutch C0 and brake B0 should be engaged to place the transmission mechanism 10 in the step-variable shifting state.

The switching control portion 50 is arranged to determine whether the transmission mechanism 10 should be switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state or vice versa, that is, whether the detected vehicle condition represented by the vehicle speed V and the output torque T_(OU)T of the automatic transmission portion 20 is in a continuously variable shifting region for placing the transmission mechanism 10 in the continuously-variable shifting state, or in a step-variable shifting region for placing the transmission mechanism 10 in the step-variable shifting state. This determination is made on the basis of the detected vehicle condition and according to a switching boundary line map (switching control map) stored in the map memory 56. An example of the switching boundary line map is indicated by broken and two-dot chain lines in FIG. 6. The switching control portion 50 selectively places the transmission mechanism 10 in the continuously-variable shifting state or step-variable shifting state, depending upon whether the present vehicle condition is in the continuously-variable shifting region or step-variable shifting region.

When the switching control portion 50 determines that the detected vehicle condition is in the step-variable shifting region, the switching control portion 50 disables the hybrid control portion 52 to effect a hybrid control or continuously-variable shifting control, and enables the step-variable shifting control portion 54 to effect a predetermined step-variable shifting control in which the automatic transmission portion 20 is automatically shifted according to the shifting boundary line map of FIG. 6 stored in the map memory 56. In this step-variable shifting control, one of the gear positions of the automatic transmission portion 20 which is selected according to the shifting boundary line map of FIG. 6 is established by engaging the appropriate combination of the hydraulically operated frictional coupling devices C0, C1, C2, B0, B1, B2 and B3, as indicated in the table of FIG. 2, which indicates a predetermined relationship between each gear position of the transmission mechanism 10 and the corresponding combination of the frictional coupling devices. This relationship is also stored in the map memory 56. Namely, the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 and the automatic transmission portion 20 are operated as a step-variable automatic transmission which is automatically shifted on the basis of the detected vehicle condition and according to the shifting boundary line map of FIG. 6 and the predetermined relationship of FIG. 2.

When the high-speed-gear determining portion 62 has determined that the transmission mechanism 10 should be shifted to the fifth gear position, the switching control portion 50 commands the hydraulic control unit 42 to release the switching clutch C0 and engage the switching brake B0, for enabling the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 to function as an auxiliary transmission having a fixed speed ratio γ0 of 0.7, for example, so that the transmission mechanism 10 as a whole is placed in a high-speed gear position so-called “an overdrive gear position” having a speed ratio lower than 1.0. When the high-speed-gear determining portion 62 has not determined that the transmission mechanism 10 should be shifted to the fifth gear position, the switching control portion 50 commands the hydraulic control unit 42 to engage the switching clutch C0 and release the switching brake B0, for enabling the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 to function as an auxiliary transmission having a fixed speed ratio γ0 of 1.0, for example, so that the transmission mechanism 10 as a whole is placed in a speed-reducing gear position having a speed ratio not lower than 1.0. Thus, the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 operable as the auxiliary transmission is placed in a selected one of two gear positions under the control of the switching control portion 50 while the transmission mechanism 10 is placed in the step-variable shifting state in which the automatic transmission portion 20 connected in series to the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 functions as a step-variable transmission. While the vehicle condition is in the step-variable shifting region, therefore, the transmission mechanism 10 as a whole functions as a step-variable automatic transmission.

When the switching control portion 50 has determined that the detected vehicle condition is in the continuously-variable shifting region for placing the transmission mechanism 10 in the continuously-variable shifting state, the switching control portion 50 commands the hydraulic control unit 42 to release both of the switching clutch C0 and brake B0, for placing the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 in the continuously-variable shifting state. At the same time, the switching control portion 50 enables the hybrid control portion 52 to effect the hybrid control, and commands the step-variable shifting control portion 54 to select and hold a predetermined one of the gear positions, or to permit an automatic shifting control according to the shifting boundary line map stored in the map memory 56. In the latter case, the variable-step shifting control portion 54 effects the automatic shifting control by suitably selecting the combinations of the operating states of the frictional coupling devices indicated in the table of FIG. 2, except the combinations including the engagement of the switching clutch C0 and brake B0. Thus, the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 functions as the continuously variable transmission while the automatic transmission connected in series to the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 functions as the step-variable transmission, so that the transmission mechanism 10 provides a sufficient vehicle drive force, such that the speed of the rotary motion transmitted to the automatic transmission portion 20 placed in one of the first through fourth gear positions, namely, the rotating speed of the power transmitting member 18 is continuously changed, so that the speed ratio of the transmission mechanism 10 when the automatic transmission portion 20 is placed in one of those gear positions is continuously variable over a predetermined range. Accordingly, the speed ratio of the automatic transmission portion 20 is continuously variable through the adjacent gear positions, whereby the overall speed ratio γT of the transmission mechanism 10 is continuously variable.

The shifting boundary line map and the switching boundary line map shown in FIG. 6 will be described in detail. The shifting boundary line map which is stored in the map memory 56 and which is used for determining whether the automatic transmission 20 should be shifted represents shifting boundary lines defined in a rectangular two-dimensional coordinate system having an axis along which the vehicle speed V is taken, and an axis along which a drive-force-related value in the form of the output torque T_(OUT) of the automatic transmission portion 20. In FIG. 6, the solid lines indicate the shift-up boundary lines, while the one-dot chain lines indicate the shift-down boundary lines. The broken lines in FIG. 6 indicate switching boundary lines which are represented by the switching boundary line map and which define the step-variable shifting region and the continuously-variable shifting region which are used by the switching control means 50. These switching boundary lines represent the upper vehicle-speed limit V1 and the upper output-torque limit T1 above which it is determined that the vehicle is in the high-speed or high-output running state. FIG. 6 also shows two-dot chain lines which are boundary lines offset with respect to the broken lines, by a suitable amount of control hysteresis, so that the broken lines and the two-dot chain lines are selectively used as the boundary lines. The switching boundary line map shown in FIG. 6 is used by the switching control means 50 to determine whether the vehicle is in the step-variable shifting state or the continuously-variable shifting state, depending upon whether the vehicle speed V and the output torque T_(OUT) are higher than the predetermined upper limit values V, T1. The shifting boundary line map and the switching boundary line map may be stored in the map memory 56, as a complex map. The switching boundary line map may include at least one of the boundary lines representative of the upper vehicle-speed limit V1 and the upper output-torque limit T1, and may use only one of the two parameters V and T_(OUT).

The shifting boundary line map and the switching boundary line may be replaced by stored equations for comparison of the actual vehicle speed V with the limit value V1 and comparison of the actual output torque T_(OUT) with the limit value T1. In this case, the switching control portion 50 switches the transmission mechanism 10 in the step-variable shifting state, when the detected actual vehicle speed V has exceeded the upper limit V1, or when the detected output torque T_(OUT) of the automatic transmission portion 20 has exceeded the upper limit T1. The switching control portion 50 may be arranged to place the transmission mechanism 10 in the step-variable shifting state even when the vehicle condition is in the continuously-variable shifting region, upon detection of any functional deterioration or defect of the components such as the first and second electric motors M1, M2, inverter 58 and electric-energy storage device 50 which are associated with the electric path described above and which are operable to operate the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission.

The drive-force-related value indicated above is a parameter corresponding to the drive force of the vehicle, which may be the output torque T_(OUT) of the automatic transmission portion 20, the output torque T_(E) of the engine 8 or an acceleration value of the vehicle, as well as a drive torque or drive force of drive wheels 38. The engine torque T_(E) may be an actual value calculated on the basis of the operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46 or the opening angle of the throttle valve (or intake air quantity, air/fuel ratio or amount of fuel injection) and the engine speed N_(E), or an estimated value of the engine torque T_(E) or required vehicle drive force which is calculated on the basis of the operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46 by the vehicle operator or the operating angle of the throttle valve. The vehicle drive torque may be calculated on the basis of not only the output torque T_(OUT), etc., but also the ratio of the differential gear device 36 and the radius of the drive wheels 38, or may be directly detected by a torque sensor or the like.

For instance, the upper limit V1 of the vehicle speed is determined so that the transmission mechanism 10 is placed in the step-variable shifting state while the vehicle speed V is higher than the upper limit V1. This determination is effective to minimize a possibility of deterioration of the fuel economy of the vehicle if the transmission mechanism 10 were placed in the continuously-variable shifting state at a relatively high running speed of the vehicle. The upper limit T1 of the output torque T_(OUT) is determined depending upon the operating characteristics of the first electric motor M1, which is small-sized and the maximum electric energy output of which is made relatively small so that the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 is not so large when the engine output is relatively high in the high-output running state of the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a shifting-region switching map indicating boundary lines defining the step-variable shifting region and continuously-variable shifting region in a two-dimensional coordinate system which is defined by an axis of the engine speed N_(E) and an axis of the engine torque N_(T). The boundary lines of the shifting-region switching map are considered to be output lines of the engine 8 defined by the engine speed and output N_(E), N_(T). The switching boundary line map, which is indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 6 and which is used by the switching control portion 50 to determine whether the vehicle condition is in the continuously-variable or step-variable shifting region, is based on the map of FIG. 8. The switching control portion 50 may use the shifting-region switching map of FIG. 7 in place of the switching boundary line map of FIG. 6, to determine whether the detected vehicle condition is in the continuously-variable or step-variable shifting region.

The step-variable shifting region defined by the switching boundary line map of FIG. 6 is defined as a high-torque region (high output drive region) in which the output torque T_(OUT) of the automatic transmission portion 20 is not lower than the predetermined upper limit T₁, or a high-speed region in which the vehicle speed V is not lower than the predetermined upper limit V₁. Accordingly, the step-variable shifting control is effected when the torque T_(E) of the engine 8 is comparatively high or when the vehicle speed V is comparatively high, while the continuously-variable shifting control is effected when the torque T_(E) of the engine 8 is comparatively low or when the vehicle speed V is comparatively low, that is, when the engine 8 is in a normal output state. Similarly, the step-variable shifting region defined by the shifting-region switching map of FIG. 7 is defined as a high-torque region in which the engine torque T_(E) is not lower than the predetermined upper limit T_(E1), or a high-speed region in which the engine speed N_(E) is not lower than the predetermined upper limit N_(E1), or alternatively defined as a high-output region in which the output of the engine 8 calculated on the basis of the engine torque N_(T) and speed N_(E) is not lower than a predetermined limit. Accordingly, the step-variable shifting control is effected when the torque T_(E), speed N_(E) or output of the engine 8 is comparatively high, while the continuously-variable shifting control is effected when the torque T_(E), speed N_(E) or output of the engine 8 is comparatively low, that is, when the engine 8 is in the normal output state. The boundary lines of the shifting-region switching map of FIG. 7 may be considered as high-speed threshold lines or high-engine-output threshold lines, which define upper limit of the vehicle speed V or engine output above

In the present embodiment described above, the transmission mechanism 10 is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state in a low-speed or medium-speed running state of the vehicle or in a low-output or medium-output running state of the vehicle, assuring a high degree of fuel economy of the hybrid vehicle. In a high-speed running of the vehicle at the vehicle speed V higher than the upper limit V1, the transmission mechanism 10 is placed in the step-variable shifting state in which the output of the engine 8 is transmitted to the drive wheels 38 primarily through the mechanical power transmitting path, so that the fuel economy is improved owing to reduction of a loss of conversion of the mechanical energy into the electric energy, which would take place when the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 (power distributing mechanism 16) functions as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission. In a high-output running state of the vehicle with the output torque T_(OUT) higher than the upper limit T1, too, the transmission mechanism 10 is placed in the step-variable shifting state. Therefore, the transmission mechanism 10 is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state only when the vehicle speed V is relatively low or medium or when the engine output is relatively low or medium, so that the required amount of electric energy generated by the first electric motor M1, that is, the maximum amount of electric energy that must be transmitted from the first electric motor M1 can be reduced, whereby the required electrical reaction force of the first electric motor M1 can be reduced, making it possible to minimize the required sizes of the first electric motor M1 and the second electric motor M2, and the required size of the drive system including those electric motors. Alternatively, in the high-output running state of the vehicle, the transmission mechanism 10 is placed in the step-variable shifting state (fixed-speed-ratio shifting state), so that the engine speed N_(E) changes with a shift-up action of the automatic transmission portion 20, assuring a comfortable rhythmic change of the engine speed N_(E) as the automatic transmission portion 20 is shifted up, as indicated in FIG. 8. Stated in the other way, when the engine is in the high-output state, it is more important to satisfy a vehicle operator's desire to improve the drivability of the vehicle, than a vehicle operator's desire to improve the fuel economy. In this respect, the transmission mechanism 10 is switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state (fixed-speed-ratio shifting state) when the engine output becomes relatively high. Accordingly, the vehicle operator is satisfied with a comfortable rhythmic change of the engine speed N_(E) during the high-output operation of the engine, as indicated in FIG. 8.

Referring back to the block diagram of FIG. 5, the accelerator-operation determining portion 80 is arranged to determine whether the accelerator pedal 46 has been depressed. This determination is made on the basis of a signal indicative of the detected operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46, which signal is received by the electronic control device 40. For instance, the accelerator-operation determining portion 80 determines that the accelerator pedal 80 has been depressed, when the amount of change of the operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46 is larger than a predetermined threshold. The operating amount A_(CC) represents the vehicle output as required by the vehicle operator, and is one of the drive-force-related values. The operating amount ACC also represents the output of the engine 8 as required by the vehicle operator, and may be replaced by the operating angle of the throttle valve, the intake air quantity or fuel injection amount of the engine 8, or an estimated value of the engine torque T_(E) calculated from the operating angle of the throttle valve and the engine speed N_(E). The accelerator-operation determining portion 80 also functions as an engine-torque-change determining portion operable to determine, on the basis of the required vehicle output or engine output, whether the amount or rate of change of the engine torque TE is larger than a predetermined threshold.

When the transmission mechanism 10 is switched between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states under the control of the switching control portion 50, the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 which is released and engaged to establish the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states, respectively, is subject to an engaging torque of the clutch C0 or B0 in question in the process of its engaging action (in partially slipping state of the clutch C0 or brake B0) for switching the transmission mechanism 10 to the step-variable shifting state, and a reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 in the process of transition of the shifting state of the transmission mechanism 10 from the continuously-variable shifting state into the step-variable shifting state, for example. When the transmission mechanism 10 is switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state, for example, the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 is gradually reduced, while at the same time the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 in question is gradually increased in the process of its engaging action. Since the power distributing mechanism 16 distributes the output of the engine 8 to the first electric motor M1 and the power transmitting member 18, the reaction torque acting on the first electric motor M1 and the torque transmitted by the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 in its engaging action correspond to the engine torque T_(E). Accordingly, a change of the engine torque T_(E) causes a corresponding amount of change of the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 and the transmitted torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0. The timings at which the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 is increased from zero and reduced toward zero, and the timings at which the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 in question is engaged and released, are predetermined so as to reduce the rate of change of the engine torque T_(E) to be transmitted to the drive wheels 38, with smooth changes of the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 and the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 in question upon switching of the power distributing mechanism 16 between the differential state and the non-differential (locked) state.

When the engine torque T_(E) changes during the changes of the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 and the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 in question, the drive toque of the drive wheels 38 would vary by an amount corresponding to an amount of change of the engine torque T_(E) if the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 were changed at the predetermined timings and the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 in question were engaged and released at the predetermining timings. In this case, the transmission mechanism 10 may suffer from a considerable switching shock upon switching between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states.

The power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82 indicated above includes a torque-change-restriction determining portion 84 which is arranged to determine whether it is necessary to restrict the change of the drive power source torque in the form of the engine torque T_(E), when the switching control portion 50 determines that the transmission mechanism 10 should be switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state, after the accelerator-operation determining portion 80 has determined that the engine torque T_(E) is going to vary. If the torque-change-restriction determining portion 84 determines that it is necessary to restrict the change of the engine torque T_(E), the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82 is operated to control the engine 8 so as to reduce the rate of change of the engine torque T_(E) during an increase of the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 in question and a decrease of the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1, upon switching of the transmission mechanism 10 from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state. Namely, the power-source torque-change control portion 82 is arranged to reduce the rate of change of the engine torque T_(E) in the transient period of shifting of the transmission mechanism 10 in which the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 is reduced toward zero while the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or B0 to be engaged is increased. For instance, the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82 is arranged to reduce the rate of change of the engine torque TE in the entire process of the engaging action of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 upon switching of the transmission mechanism 10 to the step-variable shifting state.

For instance, the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82 is arranged to temporarily reduce the rate of increase of the engine torque T_(E), by reducing the opening angle of an electronic throttle valve 94 (shown in FIG. 5) or the amount of fuel injection into the engine 8 by a fuel injection device 96 (shown in FIG. 5), or by retarding the timing of ignition of the engine 8 by an ignition device 98.

The determination by the torque-change-restriction determining portion 84 as to whether it is necessary to restrict the change of the engine torque T_(E) is made, for example, by determining whether the degree of change of the engine torque T_(E) is larger than a predetermined threshold stored in the ROM of the electronic control device 40, for instance, whether a rate of increase of the engine torque T_(E) is higher than a predetermined threshold stored in the ROM. This threshold of the rate of increase of the engine torque T_(E), which is obtained by experimentation, is an amount of increase per unit time above which it is necessary to restrict or reduce the switching shock described above. The torque-change-restriction determining portion 84 calculates the rate of increase of the engine torque T_(E), on the basis of the estimated engine torque value TE calculated on the basis of the signals indicative of the operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46 (opening angle θ_(TH) of the throttle valve) and the engine speed N_(E), which signals are received by the electronic control device 40.

In the transient period of switching of the transmission mechanism 10 in which the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 in question is increased while the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 is increased, the degree of change of the engine torque T_(E) increases with a decrease of the hydraulic operating response (engaging response) of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0. In view of this fact, the determination by the torque-change-restriction determining portion 84 as to whether the change of the engine torque T_(E) should be restricted may be made by determining whether the hydraulic operating response of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 is lower than a predetermined threshold. In this respect, it is noted that the hydraulic operating response decreases with an increase of the viscosity of the working fluid used to operate the switching clutch C0 or brake B0, that is, with a decrease of the temperature of the working fluid. Accordingly, the torque-change-restriction determining portion 84 may be arranged to determine that the change of the engine torque T_(E) should be restricted, when the temperature of the working fluid is lower than a predetermined threshold.

Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 9, there will be described a switching-shock reducing routine which is executed by the electronic control device 40, to reduce the switching shock of the transmission mechanism 10 upon switching from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state. This switching-shock reducing routine is repeatedly executed with a short cycle time of about several microseconds to several tends of microseconds. The time chart of FIG. 10 shows changes of various parameters in the process of switching of the transmission mechanism 10 from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state as a result of an operation of the accelerator pedal 46, under the control of the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82.

The switching-shock reducing routine is initiated with step S1 corresponding to the accelerator-operation determining portion 80, to determine whether the accelerator pedal 46 has been depressed. This determination may be made by determining whether the amount of increase of the operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46 represented by the signal generated from the accelerator angle sensor and received by the electronic control device 40 is larger than a predetermined threshold. If a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step S1, the control flow goes to step S6 to maintain the present state of the vehicle, and one cycle of execution of the present routine is terminated.

If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step S1, at a point of time t1 indicated in the time chart of FIG. 10, the control flow goes to step S2 corresponding to the switching control portion 50, to determine whether it is necessary to switch the transmission mechanism 10 from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state. This determination is made on the basis of the output torque T_(OU)T of the automatic transmission portion 20. In this embodiment, the switching control portion 50 determines whether the output torque T_(OUT) has exceeded the predetermined upper limit T1 as a result of the depressing operation of the accelerator pedal 46 by the vehicle operator, as described above. If a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step S2, the control flow goes to step S6, to terminate one cycle of execution of the present routine.

If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step S2 at a point of time between points t2 and t3 indicated in FIG. 10, the control flow goes to step S3 corresponding to the torque-change-restriction determining portion 84 of the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82, to determine whether it is necessary to restrict the change of the engine torque T_(E), more precisely, whether the rate of increase of the engine torque T_(E) is higher than the predetermined threshold. In addition to or in place of this determination on the basis of the rate of increase of the engine torque T_(E), the power-source torque-change restriction determining portion 84 may be arranged to make a determination as to whether the hydraulic operating response of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 to be engaged to establish the step-variable shifting state is lower than the predetermined threshold, more precisely, as to whether the temperature of the working fluid of the hydraulic control unit 42 is lower than the predetermined threshold.

If a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step S3, one cycle of execution of the present switching-shock reducing routine is terminated. If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step S3, at a point between points t3 and t5 indicated in FIG. 10, the control flow goes to step S4 corresponding to the power-source-torque-change restriction control portion 84, to restrict an increase of the engine torque T_(E) (which increase has been initiated, more specifically, to reduce a rate of increase of the engine torque T_(E) as a result of the depressing operation of the accelerator pedal 46 in step S1) in the transient period of the switching of the transmission mechanism 10 from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-change shifting state, in which the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 is increased while the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 is reduced. For reducing the increase of the engine torque T_(E) in this embodiment, the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82 temporarily reduces the opening angle of the electronic throttle valve 94 or the amount of fuel injection into the engine 8 by the fuel injection device 96, or retards the timing of ignition of the engine 8 by the ignition device 98, as described above.

Step S5 corresponding to the switching control portion 50 is implemented substantially concurrently with step S4, during a period between points of time t2 and t5 indicated in FIG. 10, to inhibit the hybrid control or continuously-variable shifting control by the hybrid control portion 52, and at the same time commands the hydraulic control unit 42 to engage the switching brake B0 when the high-speed-gear determining portion 62 has determined that the transmission mechanism 10 should be shifted to the fifth gear position, or engage the switching brake C0 when the determining portion 62 has not determined that the transmission mechanism 10 should be shifted to the fifth gear position. Accordingly, the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 is reduced to zero, while the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 to be engaged is increased to fully engage the switching clutch C0 or brake B0. In the specific example of FIG. 10 wherein the transmission mechanism 10 is maintained in the third gear position, the switching clutch C0 is engaged.

Reference is now made to the time chart of FIG. 11, which shows changes of various parameters in the process of switching of the transmission mechanism 10 from the step-variable shifting state to the continuously-variable shifting state, which is performed by a releasing action of the switching clutch C0, as a result of a releasing operation of the accelerator pedal 46, under the control of the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82. In this example, step S1 of the flow chart of FIG. 9 is replaced by a step of determining whether the amount of reduction of the operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46 becomes larger than a predetermined threshold. Step S2 of the flow chart of FIG. 9 is replaced by a step of determining whether the transmission mechanism 10 should be switched from the step-variable shifting state to the continuously-variable shifting state. In the example of FIG. 11, the reduction of the operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46 is initiated at a point of time t1, at which the reduction of the engine torque T_(E) is initiated. Step S3 of the flow chart of FIG. 9 is replaced by a step of determining whether the rate of reduction of the engine torque T_(E) is higher than a predetermined threshold. If an affirmative decision is obtained in this step, the control flow goes to a step corresponding to step S4 of FIG. 9, to reduce the rate of reduction of the engine torque T_(E), during a period between points of time t3 and t5 indicated in the time chart of FIG. 11. Then, step corresponding to step S5 of FIG. 9 is implemented substantially concurrently with the step of reducing the rate of reduction of the engine torque T_(E), to permit the hybrid control by the hybrid control portion 52, and to command the hydraulic control unit 42 to release the switching clutch C0, so that the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 is reduced to zero while the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 is increased to a predetermined value, during a period between the points of time t3 and t5.

In the present embodiment described above, the increase of the engine torque T_(E) is restricted by the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82, during an increase of the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 to be engaged to switch the transmission mechanism 10 (continuously-variable transmission portion 11 or power distributing mechanism 16) from the continuously-variable shifting state (differential state) to the step-variable shifting state (non-differential state, fixed-speed-ratio shifting state, or locked state), and during a concurrent decrease of the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 to zero. Alternatively, the reduction or decrease of the engine torque T_(E) is restricted by the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82, during a decrease of the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 to be released to switch the transmission mechanism 10 from the step-variable shifting state to the continuously-variable shifting state, and a concurrent increase of the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1. Accordingly, the engaging torque of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 is smoothly increased (to place the clutch or brake to its fully engaged state) or reduced (to place the clutch or brake to its fully released state) while at the same time the reaction torque of the first electric motor M1 is smoothly reduced to zero or increased to the predetermined value, so that the switching shock of the transmission mechanism 10 upon switching of its shifting state between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states can be significantly reduced.

The power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82 provided in the present embodiment is arranged to restrict the change of the engine torque T_(E) only when the degree of change of the engine torque T_(E) is higher than the predetermined threshold. This arrangement effectively prevents a change of the engine torque T_(E) at a rate higher than the threshold, making it possible to minimize the shifting shock of the continuously-variable transmission portion 10 (power distributing mechanism 16) upon switching between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states (differential and locked states), which shifting shock increases with the degree of change of the engine torque T_(E).

As described above, the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82 may be arranged to restrict the change of the engine torque T_(E) when the hydraulic operating response of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 is lower than the predetermined threshold. This arrangement is also effective to reduce the degree of change of the engine torque TE which increases with a decrease of the hydraulic operating response of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0, making it possible to minimize the shifting shock of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 (power distributing mechanism 16) upon switching between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states (differential and locked states).

There will be described other embodiments of the present invention. In the following embodiments, the same reference signs as used in the first embodiment will be used to identify the functionally corresponding elements.

Second Embodiment

Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 12, there is shown a control device according to a second embodiment of this invention, which is arranged to execute a switching-shock reducing routine illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 13. While this control device according to the second embodiment is arranged to control the drive system including the engine 8 and the transmission mechanism 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the control device includes a torque-reduction control portion 86 and an engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88, in place of the power-source torque-change restriction control portion 82 provided in the first embodiment.

The engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88 is arranged to determine whether the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 to be engaged to establish the step-variable shifting state is in a terminal phase of its engaging action, which is initiated when the switching control portion 50 has determined that the transmission mechanism 10 should be switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state. The terminal phase is defined as a portion of the engaging action of the clutch C0 or brake B0 immediately prior to the moment of its full engagement. If the engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88 determines that the clutch C0 or brake B0 to be engaged to establish the step-variable shifting state is in the terminal phase of its engaging action, the torque-reduction control portion 86 indicated above initiates the reduction of the torque of the vehicle drive power source (at least one of the engine 8 and the first and second electric motors M1, M2, as described below), to restrict an engaging shock of the clutch C0 or brake B0 upon switching of the transmission mechanism 10 to the step-variable shifting state.

There will be described the manner of determination by the engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88 as to whether the switching clutch C0 is in the terminal phase of its engaging action, and the manner of determination by the determining portion 88 as to whether the switching brake B0 is in the terminal phase of its engaging action.

Where the switching clutch C0 is engaged to switch the transmission mechanism 10 to the step-variable shifting state, the rotary elements of the power distributing mechanism 16 are rotated as a unit after full engagement of this switching clutch C0, so that the first electric M1, second electric motor M2 and engine 8 which are connected to the rotary elements are rotated at respective speeds N_(M1), N_(M2) and N_(E) which are substantially equal to each other immediately before a moment of completion of engagement of the switching clutch C0. In other words, the speeds N_(M1) N_(M2) and N_(E) are eventually made equal to a speed of synchronization upon full engagement of the switching clutch C0. Therefore, the determination by the engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88 as to whether the switching clutch C0 is in the terminal phase of the engaging action can be made, for example, by determining whether a difference between the speeds N_(M1) and N_(M2) of the first and second electric motors M1, M2 has become smaller than a predetermined threshold value N_(COD), below which the switching clutch C0 is considered to be in a substantially fully engaged state.

Where the switching brake B0 is engaged to switch the transmission mechanism 10 to the step-variable shifting state, the rotating speed of the first sun gear S1, that is, the speed N_(M1) of the first electric motor M1 is zeroed after full engagement of this switching brake B0. Therefore, the determination by the engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88 as to whether the switching brake B0 is in the terminal phase of the engaging action can be made, for example, by determining whether the speed N_(M1) of the first electric motor M1 has been lowered below a predetermined threshold value N_(B0D), below which the switching brake B0 is considered to be placed in a substantially fully engaged state.

The threshold values N_(COD) and N_(BOD), which are obtained by experimentation and stored in the ROM of the electronic control device 40, are a motor speed difference (N_(M1)−N_(M2)) or speed value N_(M1) at which the reduction of the torque of the vehicle drive power source is initiated by the torque-reduction control portion 86 so as to effectively reduce the engaging shock of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0.

When the transmission mechanism 10 is switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state under the control of the switching control portion 50, the rotating speeds of the rotary elements of the power distributing mechanism 16 changes toward the speed of synchronization in the process of the engaging action of the switching clutch C0, or the rotating speed of the sun gear S1 is reduced toward zero in the process of the engaging action of the switching brake B0. The changes of the rotating speeds of the rotary elements in the process of the engaging action of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 cause an inertial torque to be added to an output torque T₁₁ of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 (output torque of the power transmitting member 18). This addition of the inertial torque to the output torque T₁₁ has a risk of generation of an engaging shock upon engagement of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0. The inertial torque and the engaging shock increase with an increase in a post-engagement relative speed of the two rotary elements to be connected to each other by the engaging action of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0, which increases with an increase in a pre-engagement relative speed of the two rotary elements prior to initiation of the engaging action.

The output torque T₁₁ of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 tends to suffer from a post-engagement oscillatory variation after the full engagement of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0, which also results from the engaging action of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 and results in an engaging shock of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0.

In view of the above analysis, the torque-reduction control portion 86 is arranged to reduce the output torque T₁₁ of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 upon determination by the engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88 that the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 is in the terminal phase of its engaging action which is effected to switch the transmission mechanism 10 from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state under the control of the switching control portion 50. This reduction of the output torque T₁₁ is effective to restrict the switching shock of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0, that is, to reduce the engaging shock of the switching clutch or brake. To reduce the output torque T₁₁, the torque-reduction control portion 86 is arranged to initiate the reduction of a power-source torque (which will be described) after the moment of the above-indicated determination by the engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88, such that the reduction of the power-source torque is effected for a predetermined torque reducing period or at a predetermined rate of reduction. The predetermined torque reducing period or rate of reduction of the power-source torque is obtained by experimentation and stored in the ROM of the electronic control device 40, in relation to the magnitude of the power-source torque, the relative speed of the switching clutch C0, B0, the magnitude of the post-engagement oscillatory variation of the output torque T₁₁, etc.

The power-source torque is reduced by the torque-reduction control portion 86 by reducing the torque of the vehicle drive power source 8, M1, M2, that is, by reducing at least one of the output torques of the engine 8 and first and second electric motors M1, M2. For example, the torque-reduction control portion 86 is arranged to reduce the engine torque T_(E) in an engine-drive mode of the vehicle in which the engine 8 is used as the drive power source, and to reduce the output torque T_(M2) of the second electric motor M2 in a motor-drive mode of the vehicle in which the second electric motor M2 is used as the drive power source.

The output torque T₁₁ of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 is a sum of a torque T_(R1) (first ring-gear torque) mechanically transmitted from the engine 8 to the first ring gear R1, and the output torque of T_(M2) of the second electric motor M2. Where the first planetary gear set 24 has a gear ratio ρ1, a relationship among the reaction torque T_(M1) of the first electric motor M1, the engine torque T_(E) and the first ring-gear torque T_(R1) is represented by an equation T_(M1):T_(E):T_(R1)=ρ1:(1+ρ1):1. Therefore, the first ring-gear torque T_(R1) which is equal to T_(E)/(1+ρ1) or T_(M1)/ρ1 is proportional to the engine torque T_(E) or the reaction torque T_(M1). Accordingly, the torque-reduction control portion 86 is arranged to reduce the output torque T₁₁ of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 by reducing at least one of the torque T_(E) of the engine 8; the torque T_(M1) of the first electric motor M1; and the output torque T_(M2) of the second electric motor M2. In the present embodiment wherein the reaction torque T_(M1) is generated by the first electric motor M1 in the continuously-variable shifting state of the transmission mechanism 11, the reaction torque T_(M1) is considered to be the output torque of the first electric motor M1.

There will be described the reduction of the engine torque T_(E), the reduction of the reaction torque T_(M1) of the first electric motor M1 and the reduction of the output torque T_(M2) of the second electric motor M2, which are effected by the torque-reduction control portion 86.

To reduce the engine torque T_(E), the torque-reduction control portion 86 reduces the opening angle of the electronic throttle valve 94 or the amount of fuel injection into the engine 8 by the fuel injection device 96, or retards the timing of ignition of the engine 8 by the ignition device 98, for example. To reduce the reaction torque T_(M1), the torque-reduction control portion 86 commands the hybrid control portion 52 to reduce the amount of generation of an electric energy by the first electric motor M1 (that is, the amount of electric current generated during an operation of the first electric motor M1 as the electric generator). To reduce the output torque T_(M2) of the second electric motor M2, the torque-reduction control portion 86 commands the hybrid control portion 52 to reduce the amount of electric current to be applied to the second electric motor M2 through the inverter 58.

Alternatively, the torque-reduction control portion 86 reduces the power-source torque by commanding the hybrid control portion 52 to control the first electric motor M1 and/or the second electric motor M2 so as to produce a vehicle drive torque in the reverse direction, or so as to generate a regenerative braking torque while charging the electric-energy storage device 60. Thus, the torque-reduction control portion 86 is arranged to reduce the output torque T11 of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 so as to offset the inertial torque indicated above, by reducing the power-source torque, or by controlling the first electric motor M1 and/or the second electric motor M2 so as to produce the reverse vehicle drive torque or generate the regenerative braking torque.

The torque-reduction control portion 86 may be arranged to restrict the amount of generation of the above-indicated inertial torque, by commanding the hybrid control portion 52 to control the first electric motor M1 and/or the second electric motor M2 such that the rotary elements of the power distributing mechanism 16 are positively changed toward the speed of synchronization after the full engagement of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0. This manner of restriction of the inertial torque may be effected in place of or in addition to the offsetting of the inertial torque in the manner described above.

Where the transmission mechanism 10 is switched to the step-variable shifting state by engaging the switching clutch C0, for example, the torque-reduction control portion 86 is arranged to command the hybrid control portion 52 to control the first electric motor M1 and the second electric motor M2 such that the speeds N_(M1) and N_(M2) are made equal to each other, for thereby restricting the generation of the inertial torque. In other words, the torque-reduction control portion 86 is arranged to command the hybrid control portion 52 to control the speed N_(M1) of the first electric motor M1 so as to change toward the engine speed N_(E), where the switching clutch C0 is engaged to switch the transmission mechanism 10 to the step-variable shifting state. Where the switching brake B0 is engaged to switch the transmission mechanism 10 to the step-variable shifting state, the torque-reduction control portion 86 commands the hybrid control portion 52 to control the speed NM1 of the first electric motor so as to be zeroed.

Referring next to the flow chart of FIG. 13, there will be described the switching-shock reducing routine executed by the electronic control device 40 to restrict the switching shock of the transmission mechanism 10 when the transmission mechanism 10 is switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state. This switching-shock reducing routine is repeatedly executed with a short cycle time of about several microseconds to several tends of microseconds. The time chart of FIG. 14 shows changes of various parameters in the process of switching of the transmission mechanism 10 from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state as a result of an operation of the accelerator pedal 46, under the control of the torque-reduction control portion 86.

The switching-shock reducing routine of FIG. 13 is initiated with step S11 corresponding to the accelerator-operation determining portion 80, to determine whether the accelerator pedal 46 has been depressed. This determination may be made by determining whether the amount of increase of the operating amount A_(CC) of the accelerator pedal 46 represented by the signal generated from the accelerator angle sensor and received by the electronic control device 40 is larger than a predetermined threshold. If a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step S11, the control flow goes to step S16 to implement controls other than the control to reduce or restrict the switching shock (or maintain the present state of the vehicle), and one cycle of execution of the present routine is terminated.

If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step S11, at a point of time t1 indicated in the time chart of FIG. 14, the control flow goes to step S12 corresponding to the switching control portion 50, to determine whether it is necessary to switch the transmission mechanism 10 from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state. This determination is made on the basis of the output torque T_(OU)T of the automatic transmission portion 20. In this embodiment, the switching control portion 50 determines whether the output torque T_(OUT) has exceeded the predetermined upper limit T1 as a result of the depressing operation of the accelerator pedal 46 by the vehicle operator, as described above. Upon determination by the accelerator-operation determining portion 80 that the switching mechanism 10 should be switched to the step-variable shifting state, the switching control portion 50 commands the hybrid control portion 52 to inhibit the hybrid control or continuously-variable shifting control, and at the same time commands the hydraulic control unit 42 to engage the switching brake B0 when the high-speed-gear determining portion 62 has determined that the transmission mechanism 10 should be shifted to the fifth gear position, or engage the switching brake C0 when the determining portion 62 has not determined that the transmission mechanism 10 should be shifted to the fifth gear position. If a negative decision (NO) is obtained in step S12, the control flow goes to step S16 described above, and one cycle of execution of the present routine is terminated.

If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step S12, the control flow goes to step S13 corresponding to the engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88, to determine whether the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 to be engaged is in the terminal phase of its engaging action. Step S13 is repeated until an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in the step S13. In the specific example of FIG. 14, the transmission mechanism 10 is switched to the step-variable shifting state by engaging the switching clutch C0. In this example, the determination in step S13 is made by determining whether the speed difference between the electric motor speeds N_(M1) and N_(M2) has become smaller than the predetermined threshold value N_(COD), during a period between points of time t1 and t4 indicated in the time chart of FIG. 14. Where the transmission mechanism 10 is switched to the step-variable shifting state by engaging the switching clutch B0, the determination as to whether the switching brake B0 is in the terminal phase of its engaging action is made by determining whether the speed N_(M1) has been lowered below the predetermined threshold value N_(B0)D.

If an affirmative decision (YES) is obtained in step S13, the control flow goes to step S14 corresponding to the torque-reduction control portion 86, to initiate the reduction of the output torque T₁₁ of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 by reducing the power-source torque, at a point of time t4 indicated in the time chart of FIG. 14. For example, at least one of the torque T_(E) of the engine 8, the torque T_(M1) of the first electric motor M1 and the torque T_(M2) of the second electric motor M2 is reduced in step S14. The reduction of the power-source torque is effected for the predetermined torque reducing period or at the predetermined rate of reduction, which period or rate is obtained by experimentation and stored in the ROM of the electronic control device 40, in relation to the magnitude of the power-source torque, the relative speed of the switching clutch C0, B0, the magnitude of the post-engagement oscillatory variation of the output torque T₁₁, etc. In the example of FIG. 14, the predetermined torque reducing period is a period between the points of time t4 and t6.

Substantially concurrently with the initiation of the reduction of the output torque T₁₁ in step S14, step S15 corresponding to the switching control portion 50 is implemented to complete the engagement of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0. In the example of FIG. 14, the switching clutch C0 is brought into its fully engaged state to switch the transmission mechanism 11 to the step-variable shifting state, at a point of time t4 indicated in FIG. 14.

Thus, the torque-reduction control portion 84 of the control device according to the present second embodiment is arranged to reduce at least one of the engine torque T_(E) and the torques T_(M1) and T_(M2) of the first and second electric motors M1, M2, in the terminal phase of the engaging action of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0, for reducing the switching shock of the transmission mechanism 11 (continuously-variable transmission portion 11 or power distributing mechanism 16) upon its shifting state from the continuously-variable shifting state (differential state) to the step-variable shifting state (fixed-speed-ratio shifting state, non-differential state or locked state).

Alternatively, the torque-reduction control portion 84 is arranged to reduce the inertial torque generated due to changes of the rotating speeds of the rotary elements of the power distributing mechanism 16, in the terminal phase of the engaging action of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0, for reducing the switching shock of the transmission mechanism 10 from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state.

Where the torque-reduction control portion 84 is arranged to reduce the inertial torque, this torque-reduction control portion 84 controls the first electric motor M1 and/or the second electric motor M2, so as to offset the inertial torque or restrict the amount of generation of the inertial torque, for reducing the shifting shock of the transmission mechanism 10 upon switching of its shifting state from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state.

Third Embodiment

Referring to the schematic view of FIG. 15, there is shown an arrangement of a transmission mechanism 70 of a vehicular drive system according to a third embodiment of this invention, which may be controlled by the electronic control device in the first or second embodiment. Although the transmission mechanism 70 is different from the transmission mechanism 10 according to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the transmission mechanism 70 is controlled by an electronic control device which is substantially identical with the electronic control unit 40 described above with respect to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 or the second embodiment of FIGS. 12-14. FIG. 16 is a table indicating gear positions of the transmission mechanism 70, and different combinations of engaged states of the hydraulically operated frictional coupling devices for respectively establishing those gear positions, while FIG. 17 is a collinear chart for explaining a shifting operation of the transmission mechanism 70.

The transmission mechanism 70 includes the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 having the first electric motor M1, power distributing mechanism 16 and second electric motor M2, as in the first embodiment. The transmission mechanism 70 further includes an automatic transmission portion 72 having three forward drive positions. The automatic transmission portion 72 is disposed between the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 and the output shaft 22 and is connected in series to the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 and output shaft 22, through the power transmitting member 18. The power distributing mechanism 16 includes the first planetary gear set 24 of single-pinion type having a gear ratio ρ1 of about 0.418, for example, and the switching clutch C0 and the switching brake B0, as in the first embodiment. The automatic transmission portion 72 includes a single-pinion type second planetary gear set 26 having a gear ratio ρ2 of about 0.532, for example, and a single-pinion type third planetary gear set 28 having a gear ratio ρ3 of about 0.418, for example. The second sun gear S2 of the second planetary gear set 26 and the third sun gear S3 of the third planetary gear set 28 are integrally fixed to each other as a unit, selectively connected to the power transmitting member 18 through the second clutch C2, and selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through the first brake B1. The second carrier CA2 of the second planetary gear set 26 and the third ring gear R3 of the third planetary gear set 28 are integrally fixed to each other and fixed to the output shaft 22. The second ring gear R2 is selectively connected to the power transmitting member 18 through the first clutch C1, and the third carrier CA3 is selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through the second brake B2.

In the transmission mechanism 70 constructed as described above, one of a first gear position (first speed position) through a fourth gear position (fourth speed position), a reverse gear position (rear-drive position) and a neural position is selectively established by engaging actions of a corresponding combination of the frictional coupling devices selected from the above-described switching clutch C0, first clutch C1, second clutch C2, switching brake B0, first brake B1 and second brake B2, as indicated in the table of FIG. 16. Those gear positions have respective speed ratios γ (input shaft speed N_(IN)/output shaft speed N_(OUT)) which change as geometric series. In particular, it is noted that the power distributing mechanism 16 provided with the switching clutch C0 and brake B0 can be selectively placed by engagement of the switching clutch C0 or switching brake B0, in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state in which the mechanism 16 is operable as a transmission having fixed speed ratio or ratios, as well as in the continuously-variable shifting state in which the mechanism 16 is operable as a continuously variable transmission described above. In the present transmission mechanism 70, therefore, a step-variable transmission is constituted by the automatic transmission portion 20, and the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 which is placed in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state by engagement of the switching clutch C0 or switching brake B0. Further, a continuously variable transmission is constituted by the automatic transmission portion 20, and the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 which is placed in the continuously-variable shifting state, with none of the switching clutch C0 and brake B0 being engaged. In other words, the transmission mechanism 70 is switched to the step-variable shifting state, by engaging one of the switching clutch C0 and switching brake B0, and to the continuously-variable shifting state by releasing both of the switching clutch C0 and switching brake B0.

Where the transmission mechanism 70 functions as the step-variable transmission, for example, the first gear position having the highest speed ratio γ1 of about 2.804, for example, is established by engaging actions of the switching clutch C0, first clutch C1 and second brake B2, and the second gear position having the speed ratio γ2 of about 1.531, for example, which is lower than the speed ratio γ1, is established by engaging actions of the switching clutch C0, first clutch C1 and first brake B1, as indicated in FIG. 16. Further, the third gear position having the speed ratio γ3 of about 1.000, for example, which is lower than the speed ratio γ2, is established by engaging actions of the switching clutch C0, first clutch C1 and second clutch C2, and the fourth gear position having the speed ratio γ4 of about 0.705, for example, which is lower than the speed ratio γ3, is established by engaging actions of the first clutch C1, second clutch C2, and switching brake B0. Further, the reverse gear position having the speed ratio γR of about 2.393, for example, which is intermediate between the speed ratios γ1 and γ2, is established by engaging actions of the second clutch C2 and the second brake B2. The neutral position N is established by engaging only the switching clutch C0.

When the transmission mechanism 70 functions as the continuously-variable transmission, on the other hand, the switching clutch C0 and the switching brake B0 are both released, so that the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 functions as the continuously variable transmission, while the automatic transmission portion 72 connected in series to the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 functions as the step-variable transmission, whereby the speed of the rotary motion transmitted to the automatic transmission portion 72 placed in one of the first through third gear positions, namely, the rotating speed of the power transmitting member 18 is continuously changed, so that the speed ratio of the transmission mechanism 10 when the automatic transmission portion 72 is placed in one of those gear positions is continuously variable over a predetermined range. Accordingly, the speed ratio of the automatic transmission portion 72 is continuously variable across the adjacent gear positions, whereby the overall speed ratio γT of the transmission mechanism 70 is continuously variable.

The collinear chart of FIG. 17 indicates, by straight lines, a relationship among the rotating speeds of the rotary elements in each of the gear positions of the transmission mechanism 70, which is constituted by the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 functioning as the continuously-variable shifting portion or first shifting portion, and the automatic transmission portion 72 functioning as the step-variable shifting portion or second shifting portion. The collinear chart of FIG. 17 indicates the rotating speeds of the individual elements of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 when the switching clutch C0 and brake B0 are both released, and the rotating speeds of those elements when the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 is engaged, as in the preceding embodiments

In FIG. 17, four vertical lines Y4, Y5, Y6 and Y7 corresponding to the automatic transmission portion 72 respectively represent the relative rotating speeds of a fourth rotary element (fourth element) RE4 in the form of the second and third sun gears S2, S3 integrally fixed to each other, a fifth rotary element (fifth element) RE5 in the form of the third carrier CA3, a sixth rotary element (sixth element) RE6 in the form of the second carrier CA2 and third ring gear R3 that are integrally fixed to each other, and a seventh rotary element (seventh element) RE7 in the form of the second ring gear R2. In the automatic transmission portion 72, the fourth rotary element RE4 is selectively connected to the power transmitting member 18 through the second clutch C2, and is selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through the first brake B1, and the fifth rotary element RE5 is selectively fixed to the transmission casing 12 through the second brake B2. The sixth rotary element RE6 is fixed to the output shaft 22 of the automatic transmission portion 72, and the seventh rotary element RE7 is selectively connected to the power transmitting member 18 through the first clutch C1.

When the first clutch C1 and the second brake B2 are engaged, the automatic transmission portion 72 is placed in the first gear position. The rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the first gear position is represented by a point of intersection between the vertical line Y6 indicative of the rotating speed of the sixth rotary element RE6 fixed to the output shaft 22 and an inclined straight line L1 which passes a point of intersection between the vertical line Y7 indicative of the rotating speed of the seventh rotary element RE7 (R2) and the horizontal line X2, and a point of intersection between the vertical line Y5 indicative of the rotating speed of the fifth rotary element RE5 (CA3) and the horizontal line X1. Similarly, the rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the second gear position established by the engaging actions of the first clutch C1 and first brake B1 is represented by a point of intersection between an inclined straight line L2 determined by those engaging actions and the vertical line Y6 indicative of the rotating speed of the sixth rotary element RE6 (CA2, R3) fixed to the output shaft 22. The rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the third speed position established by the engaging actions of the first clutch C1 and second clutch C2 is represented by a point of intersection between an inclined straight line L3 determined by those engaging actions and the vertical line Y6 indicative of the rotating speed of the sixth rotary element RE6 fixed to the output shaft 22. In the first through third gear positions in which the switching clutch C0 is placed in the engaged state, the seventh rotary element RE7 is rotated at the same speed as the engine speed N_(E), with the drive force received from the continuously-variable transmission portion 11. When the switching clutch B0 is engaged in place of the switching clutch C0, the sixth rotary element RE6 is rotated at a speed higher than the engine speed N_(E), with the drive force received from the continuously-variable transmission portion 11. The rotating speed of the output shaft 22 in the fourth gear position established by the engaging actions of the first clutch C1, second clutch C2 and switching brake B0 is represented by a point of intersection between a horizontal line L4 determined by those engaging actions and the vertical line Y6 indicative of the rotating speed of the sixth rotary element RE6 fixed to the output shaft 22.

The transmission mechanism 70 according to the present third embodiment is also constituted by the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 functioning as the continuously-variable shifting portion or first shifting portion, and the automatic transmission portion 72 functioning as the step-variable shifting portion or second shifting portion, so that the present transmission mechanism 70 has advantages similar to those of the first embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 18 shows a seesaw switch 44 functioning as a shifting-state selecting device manually operable to select the differential state or non-differential state of the power distributing mechanism 16, that is, to select the continuously-variable shifting state or step-variable shifting state of the transmission mechanism 10. In the preceding embodiments, the shifting state of the transmission mechanism 10, 70 is automatically switched on the basis of the detected vehicle condition and according to the switching boundary line map of FIG. 6 or the shifting-region switching map of FIG. 7. However, the shifting state of the transmission mechanism 10, 70 may be manually switched by a manual operation of the seesaw switch 44. Namely, the switching control portion 50 may be arranged to selectively place the transmission mechanism 10, 10 in the continuously-variable shifting state or the step-variable shifting state, depending upon whether the seesaw switch 44 is placed in its continuously-variable shifting position or step-variable shifting position. The seesaw switch 44 has a first portion labeled “STEP-VARIABLE”, and a second potion labeled “CONTINUOUSLY-VARIABLE”, as shown in FIG. 18, and is placed in the step-variable shifting position by depressing the seesaw switch 44 at its first portion, and in the continuously-variable shifting position by depressing it at its second portion. For instance, the user of the vehicle manually operates the seesaw switch 44 to place the transmission mechanism 10, 70 in the continuously-variable shifting state when the user likes the transmission mechanism 10, 70 to operate as a continuously variable transmission or wants to improve the fuel economy of the engine, or alternatively in the step-variable shifting state when the user likes a change of the engine speed as a result of a shifting action of the automatic transmission portion 20 operating as a step-variable transmission. The seesaw switch 44 may have a neutral position in addition to the continuously-variable shifting position and the step-variable shifting position. In this case, the seesaw switch 44 may be placed in its neutral position when the user has not selected the desired shifting state or likes the transmission mechanism 10, 70 to be automatically placed in one of the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention may be otherwise embodied.

In the illustrated embodiments, steps S1 and S2 of FIG. 9, or steps S11 and S12 pf FIG. 13 are formulated to determine whether the transmission mechanism 10, 70 should be switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state, depending upon whether the vehicle-operator's required output in the form of the output torque T_(OUT) has exceeded the upper limit T1 as a result of an operation of the accelerator pedal 46. However, the determination in step S2 or S12 as to whether the transmission mechanism 10, 70 should be switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state may be made depending upon whether any other condition is satisfied. For example, it is possible to determine that the transmission mechanism 10, 70 should be switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state, when the detected vehicle speed V has exceeded the predetermined upper limit V1, when the detected vehicle condition is in the step-variable shifting region defined by the switching boundary line map of FIG. 6 or the shifting-region switching map of FIG. 7, when any one of the electric components such as the electric motors M1, M2 operable to enable the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 to function as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission is found defective or functionally deteriorated, or when the seesaw switch 44 has been placed into the step-variable shifting position. It is also noted that the principle of the present invention is applicable to the switching of the transmission mechanism 10, 70 which takes place concurrently with the automatic shifting control of the automatic transmission portion 20, 72. Although the automatic transmission portion 20, 72 is automatically shifted according to the shifting boundary line map of FIG. 6, the automatic transmission portion 20, 72 may be shifted by a manual operation of a suitable manually operable member such as a shift lever which has a manual forward-drive position for manually shifting the automatic transmission portion 20, 72, as well as an automatic forward-drive position in which the automatic transmission portion 20, 72 is automatically shifted to a selected one of the forward-drive gear positions.

The engagement-terminal-phase determining portion 88 (step S13 of the flow chart of FIG. 13) provided in the second embodiment may be arranged to make the determination as to whether the switching clutch C0 is in a terminal portion of its engaging action, depending upon whether a predetermined time has passed after the moment of determination by the switching control portion 50 that the transmission mechanism 70 should be switched from the continuously-variable shifting state to the step-variable shifting state. The predetermined time is a time length required for the switching clutch C0 to be almost fully engaged, which time length is obtained by experimentation and stored in the ROM of the electronic control device 40.

In step S14 of the flow chart of FIG. 13 in the second embodiment, the torque reducing control is effected so as to offset an inertial torque generated due to speed changes of the rotary elements of the power distributing mechanism 16. However, this torque reducing control may be replaced or supplemented by the torque reducing control implemented by the hybrid control portion 52 to control the first electric motor M1 and/or the second electric motor M2 such that the rotating speeds of the rotary elements of the power distributing mechanism 16 are positively changed toward the speed of synchronization after completion of the engaging action of the switching clutch C0 or brake B0. In this case, the switching clutch C0 or brake B0 is brought into its engaged state while the relative rotating speed of the two rotary members connected thereto is held relatively low, so that the engaging shock of the clutch C0 or brake B0 can be further reduced.

In the illustrated embodiments, the transmission mechanism 10, 70 is placed selectively in one of the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states, when the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 (power distributing portion 16) is placed selectively in its differential state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 is operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and in its non-differential state in which the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission. However, the transmission mechanism 10, 70 may function as the step-variable transmission while the speed ratio of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 is variable in steps rather than continuously, while this transmission portion 11 remains in the differential state. In other words, the differential and non-differential states of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 need not respectively correspond to the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states of the transmission mechanism 10, 70, and the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 need not be switchable between the continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states. The principle of the present invention is applicable to any transmission mechanism (its continuously-variable transmission portion 11 or power distributing mechanism 16) which is switchable between the differential state and the non-differential state.

In the power distributing mechanism 16 in the illustrated embodiments, the first carrier CA1 is fixed to the engine 8, and the first sun gear S1 is fixed to the first electric motor M1 while the first ring gear R1 is fixed to the power transmitting member 18. However, this arrangement is not essential. The engine 8, first electric motor M1 and power transmitting member 18 may be fixed to any other elements selected from the three elements CA1, S1 and R1 of the first planetary gear set 24.

While the engine 8 is directly fixed to the input shaft 14 in the illustrated embodiments, the engine 8 may be operatively connected to the input shaft 14 through any suitable member such as gears and a belt, and need not be disposed coaxially with the input shaft 14.

In the illustrated embodiments, the first electric motor M1 and the second electric motor M2 are disposed coaxially with the input shaft 14, and are fixed to the first sun gear S1 and the power transmitting member 18, respectively. However, this arrangement is not essential. For example, the first and second electric motors M1, M2 may be operatively connected to the first sun gear S1 and the power transmitting member 18, respectively, through gears or belts.

Although the power distributing mechanism 16 in the illustrated embodiments is provided with the switching clutch C0 and the switching brake B0, the power distributing mechanism 16 need not be provided with both of the switching clutch C0 and brake B0. While the switching clutch C0 is provided to selectively connect the first sun gear S1 and the first carrier CA1 to each other, the switching clutch C0 may be provided to selectively connect the first sun gear S1 and the first ring gear R1 to each other, or selectively connect the first carrier CA1 and the first ring gear R1. Namely, the switching clutch C0 may be arranged to connect any two elements of the three elements of the first planetary gear set 24.

While the switching clutch C0 is engaged to establish the neutral position N in the transmission mechanism 10, 70 in the illustrated embodiments, the switching clutch C0 need not be engaged to establish the neutral position.

The hydraulically operated frictional coupling devices used as the switching clutch C0, switching brake B0, etc. in the illustrated embodiments may be replaced by a coupling device of a magnetic-power type, an electromagnetic type or a mechanical type, such as a powder clutch (magnetic powder clutch), an electromagnetic clutch and a meshing type dog clutch.

In the illustrated embodiments, the second electric motor M2 is fixed to the power transmitting member 18. However, the second electric motor M2 may be fixed to the output shaft 22 or to a rotary member of the automatic transmission portion 20, 72.

In the illustrated embodiments, the automatic transmission portion 20, 72 is disposed in the power transmitting path between the drive wheels 38, and the power transmitting member 18 which is the output member of the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 or power distributing mechanism 16. However, the automatic transmission portion 20, 72 may be replaced by any other type of power transmitting device such as a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is a kind of an automatic transmission. Where the continuously variable transmission (CVT) is provided, the transmission mechanism as a whole is placed in the step-variable shifting state when the power distributing mechanism 16 is placed in the fixed-speed-ratio shifting state. The fixed-speed-ratio shifting state is defined as a state in which power is transmitted primarily through a mechanical power transmitting path, without power transmission through an electric path. The continuously variable transmission may be arranged to establish a plurality of predetermined fixed speed ratios corresponding to those of the gear positions of the automatic transmission portion 20, 72, under the control of a step-variable shifting control portion which stores data indicative of the predetermined speed ratios. It is also noted that the principle of the present invention is applicable to a vehicular drive system not including the automatic transmission portion 20, 72.

While the automatic transmission portion 20, 72 is connected in series to the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 through the power transmitting member 18 in the illustrated embodiments, the automatic transmission portion 20, 72 may be mounted on and disposed coaxially with a counter shaft which is parallel to the input shaft 14. In this case, the continuously-variable transmission portion 11 and the automatic transmission portion 20, 72 are operatively connected to each other through a suitable power transmitting device or a set of two power transmitting members such as a pair of counter gears, and a combination of a sprocket wheel and a chain.

The power distributing mechanism 16 provided as a differential mechanism in the illustrated embodiments may be replaced by a differential gear device including a pinion rotated by the engine 8, and a pair of bevel gears which are respectively operatively connected to the first and second electric motors M1, M2.

Although the power distributing mechanism 16 is constituted by one planetary gear set in the illustrated embodiments, the power distributing mechanism 16 may be constituted by two or more planetary gear sets and arranged to be operable as a transmission having three or more gear positions when placed in its non-differential state (fixed-speed-ratio shifting state).

While the switch 44 is of a seesaw type switch in the illustrated embodiments, the seesaw switch 44 may be replaced by a single pushbutton switch, two pushbutton switches that are selectively pressed into operated positions, a lever type switch, a slide-type switch or any other type of switch or switching device that is operable to select a desired one of the continuously-variable shifting state (differential state) and the step-variable shifting state (non-differential state). The seesaw switch 44 may or may not have a neutral position. Where the seesaw switch 44 does not have the neutral position, an additional switch may be provided to enable and disable the seesaw switch 44. The function of this additional switch corresponds to the neutral position of the seesaw switch 44.

It is to be understood that other changes and modifications may be made in the present invention, which may occur to those skilled in the art, in the light of the foregoing teachings. 

1. A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, (b) a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and (c) a differential-state switching device operable to place said differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state in which said differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a step-variable shifting state in which said differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, said control device comprising: a switching control portion operable to control said differential-state switching device to place said differential mechanism selectively in one of said differential and step-variable shifting states; and a power-source torque-change restriction control portion operable to restrict a change of an output torque of said engine when said differential mechanism is switched by said differential-state switching device between said differential state and said locked state under the control of said switching control portion.
 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said vehicular drive system includes a continuously-variable transmission portion including said differential mechanism, said second electric motor and said differential-state switching device, and said differential-state switching device is operable to switch said differential mechanism between said differential and locked state, for placing said continuously-variable transmission portion selectively in one of a continuously-variable shifting state in which said continuously-variable transmission portion is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a step-variable shifting state in which said continuously-variable transmission portion is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and wherein said power-source torque-change restriction control portion is operable to restrict the change of the output torque of said engine when said continuously-variable transmission portion is switched by said differential-state switching device between said continuously-variable and step-variable shifting states under the control of said switching control portion.
 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said power-source torque-change restriction control portion reduces the change of the output torque of the engine when a degree of the change of the output torque of the engine is higher than a predetermined threshold.
 4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said power-source torque-change restriction control portion reduces the change of the output torque of the engine when the an operating response of said differential-state switching device is lower than a predetermined threshold.
 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said differential mechanism includes a first element fixed to said engine, a second element fixed to said first electric motor, and a third element fixed to said power distributing member, and said differential-state switching device is operable to permit said first, second and third elements to be rotated relative to each other, for thereby placing said differential mechanism in said differential state, and to connect said first, second and third elements for rotation as a unit or to hold said second element stationary, for thereby placing said differential mechanism in said locked state.
 6. The control device according to claim 5, wherein said differential-state switching device includes a clutch operable to connect at least two of said first, second and third elements to each other for rotation of said first, second and third elements as a unit, and/or a brake operable to fix said second element to a stationary member for holding said second element stationary.
 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein said differential-state switching device includes both of said clutch and said brake, and is operable to release said clutch and said brake for thereby placing said differential mechanism in said differential state in which said first, second and third elements are rotatable relative to each other, and to engage said clutch and release said brake for thereby enabling said differential mechanism to function as a transmission having a speed ratio of 1, or engage said brake and release said clutch for thereby enabling said differential mechanism to function as a speed-increasing transmission having a speed ratio lower than
 1. 8. The control device according to claim 5, wherein said differential mechanism is a planetary gear set, and said first, second and third elements are respectively a carrier, a sun gear and a ring gear of said planetary gear set.
 9. The control device according to claim 8, wherein said planetary gear set is of a single-pinion type.
 10. The control device according to claim 1, wherein said vehicular drive system further includes an automatic transmission portion disposed between said power transmitting member and said drive wheel, and has an overall speed ratio which is determined by a speed ratio of said differential mechanism and a speed ratio of said automatic transmission portion.
 11. The control device according to claim 10, wherein said automatic transmission portion is a step-variable automatic transmission.
 12. A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, (b) a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and (c) a differential-state switching device operable to place said differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state in which said differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a locked state in which said differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, said control device comprising: a switching control portion operable to control said differential-state switching device to place said differential mechanism selectively in one of said differential and locked states; and a torque-reduction control portion operable to reduce at least one of an output torque of said engine, an output torque of said first electric motor and an output torque of said second electric motor, when said differential mechanism is switched by said differential-state switching device from said differential state to said locked state under the control of said switching control portion.
 13. The control device according to claim 12, wherein said vehicular drive system includes a continuously-variable transmission portion including said differential mechanism, said second electric motor and said differential-state switching device, and said differential-state switching device is operable to switch said differential mechanism between said differential and locked state, for placing said continuously-variable transmission portion selectively in one of a continuously-variable shifting state in which said continuously-variable transmission portion is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a step-variable shifting state in which said continuously-variable transmission portion is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and wherein said torque-reduction control portion is operable to reduce at least one of the output torques of said engine and said first and second electric motors when said continuously-variable transmission portion is switched by said differential-state switching device from said continuously-variable shifting state to said step-variable shifting state under the control of said switching control portion.
 14. The control device according to claim 12, wherein said differential mechanism includes a first element fixed to said engine, a second element fixed to said first electric motor, and a third element fixed to said power distributing member, and said differential-state switching device is operable to permit said first, second and third elements to be rotated relative to each other, for thereby placing said differential mechanism in said differential state, and to connect said first, second and third elements for rotation as a unit or to hold said second element stationary, for thereby placing said differential mechanism in said locked state.
 15. The control device according to claim 14, wherein said differential-state switching device includes a clutch operable to connect at least two of said first, second and third elements to each other for rotation of said first, second and third elements as a unit, and/or a brake operable to fix said second element to a stationary member for holding said second element stationary.
 16. The control device according to claim 15, wherein said differential-state switching device includes both of said clutch and said brake, and is operable to release said clutch and said brake for thereby placing said differential mechanism in said differential state in which said first, second and third elements are rotatable relative to each other, and to engage said clutch and release said brake for thereby enabling said differential mechanism to function as a transmission having a speed ratio of 1, or engage said brake and release said clutch for thereby enabling said differential mechanism to function as a speed-increasing transmission having a speed ratio lower than
 1. 17. The control device according to claim 14, wherein said differential mechanism is a planetary gear set, and said first, second and third elements are respectively a carrier, a sun gear and a ring gear of said planetary gear set.
 18. The control device according to claim 17, wherein said planetary gear set is of a single-pinion type.
 19. The control device according to claim 12, wherein said vehicular drive system further includes an automatic transmission portion disposed between said power transmitting member and said drive wheel, and has an overall speed ratio which is determined by a speed ratio of said differential mechanism and a speed ratio of said automatic transmission portion.
 20. The control device according to claim 19, wherein said automatic transmission portion is a step-variable automatic transmission.
 21. A control device for a vehicular drive system including (a) a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, (b) a second electric motor disposed in a power transmitting path between the power transmitting member and a drive wheel of a vehicle, and (c) a differential-state switching device operable to place said differential mechanism selectively in one of a differential state in which said differential mechanism is operable to perform a differential function and a locked state in which said differential mechanism is not operable to perform the differential function, said control device comprising: a switching control portion operable to control said differential-state switching device to place said differential mechanism selectively in one of said differential and locked states; and a torque-reduction control portion operable to reduce an inertial torque of said differential mechanism due to a speed change thereof when said differential mechanism is switched by said differential-state switching device from said differential state to said locked state under the control of said switching control portion.
 22. The control device according to claim 21, wherein said vehicular drive system includes a continuously-variable transmission portion including said differential mechanism, said second electric motor and said differential-state switching device, and said differential-state switching device is operable to switch said differential mechanism between said differential and locked state, for placing said continuously-variable transmission portion selectively in one of a continuously-variable shifting state in which said continuously-variable transmission portion is operable as an electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a step-variable shifting state in which said continuously-variable transmission portion is not operable as the electrically controlled continuously variable transmission, and wherein said torque-reduction control portion is operable to reduce the inertial torque of said differential mechanism when said continuously-variable transmission portion is switched by said differential-state switching device from said continuously-variable shifting state to said step-variable shifting state under the control of said switching control portion.
 23. The control device according to claim 21, wherein said torque-reduction control portion reduces the inertial torque of said differential mechanism by controlling at least one of said first and second electric motors.
 24. The control device according to claim 21, wherein said differential mechanism includes a first element fixed to said engine, a second element fixed to said first electric motor, and a third element fixed to said power distributing member, and said differential-state switching device is operable to permit said first, second and third elements to be rotated relative to each other, for thereby placing said differential mechanism in said differential state, and to connect said first, second and third elements for rotation as a unit or to hold said second element stationary, for thereby placing said differential mechanism in said locked state.
 25. The control device according to claim 24, wherein said differential-state switching device includes a clutch operable to connect at least two of said first, second and third elements to each other for rotation of said first, second and third elements as a unit, and/or a brake operable to fix said second element to a stationary member for holding said second element stationary.
 26. The control device according to claim 25, wherein said differential-state switching device includes both of said clutch and said brake, and is operable to release said clutch and said brake for thereby placing said differential mechanism in said differential state in which said first, second and third elements are rotatable relative to each other, and to engage said clutch and release said brake for thereby enabling said differential mechanism to function as a transmission having a speed ratio of 1, or engage said brake and release said clutch for thereby enabling said differential mechanism to function as a speed-increasing transmission having a speed ratio lower than
 1. 27. The control device according to claim 24, wherein said differential mechanism is a planetary gear set, and said first, second and third elements are respectively a carrier, a sun gear and a ring gear of said planetary gear set.
 28. The control device according to claim 27, wherein said planetary gear set is of a single-pinion type.
 29. The control device according to claim 21, wherein said vehicular drive system further includes an automatic transmission portion disposed between said power transmitting member and said drive wheel, and has an overall speed ratio which is determined by a speed ratio of said differential mechanism and a speed ratio of said automatic transmission portion.
 30. The control device according to claim 29, wherein said automatic transmission portion is a step-variable automatic transmission. 